Expert: Daphne E Brown MS CPRP - 3/15/2008

Question
Hello, I have a question about my body weight versus my height and so on. I'm 5'9" and I way 285 lbs. I'm not morbidly obese tho. Yes I'm over weight, but I am still able to do everyday activities and have lots of energy. I have been working out on the treadmill and lifting weights again here lately. I walk at fat burn rate at speed 2.5 for 30 minutes and then do some weight lifting exercises. And still feel like I could go on and on. How could I be considered morbidly obese? I've lifted weights off and on all my life and i am a very solid build. When I go to the doctor and the nurse weighs me she is in shock. She says, "there's no way you way that much!" Could it be my muscle mass that is making me weigh so much? If so how do I get an accurate BMI and calorie intake suggestion?

Answer
**Suggestions offered here may or may not help you in your particular situation.  Please consult with your physician when adding or modifying an exercise/nutritional regimen)

Hi Alicia. You haven't told me how old you are, or any medical issues, or a specific fitness weekly routine (how many consistent months or years), diet, etc. but I am SHOCKED that no one has suggested that you get weighed underwater or at least use calipers to determine your body fat percentage.  You can also relatively accurately have your body fat percentage determined using DEXA testing (measures bone density, but also your lean tissue mass and your fat tissue mass).  

See if your Dr. can schedule you a DEXA test.  BMI is sometimes is on the high side for people who have higher lean body mass and higher bone density percentages.  For example, when I compete in fitness competitions, I weigh on the scale 155 and I am 5'7".  I am almost overweight according to the scale but my body fat is usually 13-14%, thats a low fat percentage for ANY athlete.  My friend who is a body builder has a BMI of 39!! But his body fat is usually around 7-8%.

Check out this website for more information about body composition (NOTE*I do not advocate or support any of these websites, so use the information at your own risk)

http://www.rowett.ac.uk/edu_web/sec_pup/body_comp.pdf (good professional summary)
http://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article%20folder/underbodycomp.html(kinda technical)
http://zone.cust.he.net/prothd2.html (calculate using circumference measurements of different body parts)

This should give you a start into understanding body composition. The key is being healthy physically, nutritionally and emotionally.  If you do things to lower your risk of cardiovascular (ex. heart attack), metabolic (ex. Diabetes) and circulatory disease (ex. high cholesterol), you are definitely on the right track. Hope this helps.  Take care!! - Daphne