Althouse: "Where are you on the global fat scale?"

July 15, 2012

"Where are you on the global fat scale?"

A calculator set up by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Don't be afraid to compare yourself to the rest of the world. They're plenty plump, most places.

61 comments:

campy said...: I've got 58% of the world beat already! Time to raid the fridge!; 7/15/12, 12:11 PM
tiger said...: 'They're'?

There're?

There are?

But not 'they're' unless, well, unless nothing.

I'm a patrolman in the Grammar Police and see no way 'they're' in this context can be correct.; 7/15/12, 12:12 PM
bagoh20 said...: Wow, Americans are huge ass kickers, if they can catch you.

When the zombie apocalypse comes we will be an even greater superpower as our zombies devour nation after nation.; 7/15/12, 12:13 PM
Irene said...: "You're most like someone from Cambodia."; 7/15/12, 12:13 PM
Deb said...: I consider myself traditionally built and indeed, I am very close to someone from Botswana.; 7/15/12, 12:19 PM
tiger said...: It states that for my height and weight I am 2 points away from being 'obese' which is utter nonsense.

Yeah, I can stand to lose weight but there is no way I am even close to 'obese'.

Seems to me that about five years ago there was news about how the BMI keeps getting adjusted down in an effort to rig the figures and drum up more business for Big Nutrition.

And that sounds about right to me.; 7/15/12, 12:19 PM
Kurt said...: I was most like someone from Rwanda, lower than 96% of U.S. males in my age range and 80% of males around the world.; 7/15/12, 12:20 PM
Ron said...: Micronesia! Woo Hoo! Toppermost of the Poppermost, Johnny!; 7/15/12, 12:32 PM
ndspinelli said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 7/15/12, 12:38 PM
ndspinelli said...: My BMI is 31. I tell everyone I'm Italian but I'm really from Somoa. How about some of you pussys giving us some BMI's. We're all God's children. Althouse might judge, but most here won't.; 7/15/12, 12:40 PM
Seeing Red said...: Oman.; 7/15/12, 12:42 PM
Rose said...: So, I punched in some random numbers.

A 53 yr old woman, 5'3" weighing 90 pounds - it says that person would have a higher BMI than 95% of females in the world.

I'm not buying that. A 90 pound woman is far from obese.; 7/15/12, 12:43 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "I'm a patrolman in the Grammar Police and see no way 'they're' in this context can be correct."

It means "they are."; 7/15/12, 12:45 PM
Anonymous said...: Gambia, mmm some chicken yassa sounds good.; 7/15/12, 12:47 PM
Anonymous said...: When did they stop teaching common colloquialisms in Grammar Police Academy?; 7/15/12, 12:48 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "So, I punched in some random numbers."

Make sure you have it set for pounds and not kilograms!; 7/15/12, 12:53 PM
Anonymous said...: I think I may have to go have a box of Godiva chocolates, I seem to be thinner than over 90 percent of Americans. That seems strange and lonely.; 7/15/12, 12:54 PM
pm317 said...: Yeah, I am most like someone from Bhutan (and that is not far from India, ;); 7/15/12, 12:55 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Argentina baby!; 7/15/12, 12:57 PM
john said...: No way am I like someone from Saudi Arabia. I don't go for that kind of stuff. Bowing, maybe that's OK, but not that kind of stuff.; 7/15/12, 1:03 PM
edutcher said...: I'm 70% better than most Americans my age and 70% worse than other countries.

I'm also most like somebody from Russia (considering I have some friends from there, I take it as a compliment).

Somehow, that makes me feel good.

Irene said...

"You're most like someone from Cambodia."

Next time somebody offers you some potato chips with French onion dip, the answer is, "Thank you".

PS Regards to Mr Irene, Poppy, and the gang at Casa Irene.; 7/15/12, 1:07 PM
JAL said...: wiki BMI was explicitly cited by Keys as being appropriate for population studies, and inappropriate for individual diagnosis. Nevertheless, due to its simplicity, it came to be widely used for individual diagnosis, despite its inappropriateness.

I am in the process of losing some weight, becasue I am in theat age group of women where it accumulates, but I will say this, the way I carry weight is a bit different than many because people have never believed I weigh what the scale says.

I used to attribute it to the factoid that muscle weighs more than fat.

I have dropped a couple lbs going low carb. It's what worked for me 40 + years ago (pre Atkins and Taub) and it works now.

Still, interesting chart.; 7/15/12, 1:20 PM
Christopher said...: Apparently I'm Bulgarian.; 7/15/12, 1:21 PM
Anonymous said...: JAL, have you heard of Paleo/ Primal? It's very much like lowcarb, but allows sweet potato, white potato, rice, but of course In limited amounts. I bought some Quinoa pasta, it's excellent, much lower carb and higher in protein than wheat pasta.

Both modern day Low Carbers and Paleo followers do not eat wheat products.; 7/15/12, 1:28 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "If everyone in the world had the same BMI as you, it would remove 15,186,933 tonnes from the total weight of the world's population."

Shame on them!; 7/15/12, 1:30 PM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: Your numbers
Obesity Index
21bmi
BMI is Below average
You have a lower BMI than 91% of females aged 30-44 in your country Global: Below average
You have a lower BMI than 70% of females aged 30-44 in the world

Did you know?
If everyone in the world had the same BMI as you, it would remove 33,123,459 tonnes fromthe total weight of the world's population You're most like someone from India*; 7/15/12, 1:30 PM
Ann Althouse said...: Here's my diet suggestion:

1. Drink only water.

2. Eat primarily meat. Any kind. Fatty. Whatever.

3. You can have eggs, nuts, and whatever fats and butter you like.

4. If you eat anything else, it can't be sweets or starches. You can have a small salad.; 7/15/12, 1:43 PM
Conserve Liberty said...: BMI = 22
Below average for United States
Below average globally
22% of the rest of the world has my BMI or lower.
I am most like Mali.

Age 57
6' 0"
163 lb

I walk a lot and eat (what is now called) a Paleo diet; 7/15/12, 1:47 PM
MayBee said...: Eritrea for me. How exotic I am!; 7/15/12, 1:49 PM
Chip Ahoy said...: This chart has affected me negatively and now I have body issues.

I am 19 whatever that is and it lines up with the guys on the bottom and way out of whack with my mates. And it didn't matter which age I used that I lie about up and down, all my age lies came out the same 19.

[add frzn pza 2 spn lst ]; 7/15/12, 1:59 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: But don't get too thin or you'll be one serious illness away from six feet under.; 7/15/12, 2:01 PM
Pastafarian said...: My bmi was 27, but this seems a useless number to me without a body fat percentage. I'm carrying maybe 15 extra pounds, but I'm 6 foot 2.

I might need that extra weight, should I be stranded in the wilderness. Don't judge me.

By the way, I'm on vacation in coastal North Carolina right now, and we'll soon be on our way to the Seafood Barn, where I will make a spectacle of myself by single-handedly eating a five-pound steam pot. Other tourists will turn away in disgust and shield there children from the spray of crab juice and drawn butter.

And then later I'll drink enough margaritas to kill three ordinary men.

And this post won't slow me down a bit. So there, Debbie Downer.; 7/15/12, 2:07 PM
Michael said...: Professor. You have the diet exactly right. Oddly, when i am eating a giant omlet with a rasher of bacon all i can think about is toast. Is this the mind or the body saying what's what?; 7/15/12, 2:07 PM
Pastafarian said...: And in case that wasn't enough misspelled stupidity for you, I think I'll drop by later for a little drunken commenting.; 7/15/12, 2:11 PM
bagoh20 said...: The problem with a low carb diet is that carbs are by far the best food, well carbs and fat, especially together like ice cream. Carbs are the only thing I ever crave.

I know low carb diets work to lose weight, come on! Them little carbies are delicious!; 7/15/12, 2:29 PM
Palladian said...: I am fatter than 100% of men in the world my age! I'm the God! I'M the God!; 7/15/12, 2:39 PM
Wen said...: Don't forget to change the units from kgms to pounds or you'll be classed as fatter than 100% of the people in the world. TONGA, baby! I was worried there for a minute.; 7/15/12, 2:45 PM
Pastafarian said...: Palladian, you magnificent bastard.

But I plugged in a few numbers and you don't have to be that big to be in that 100% paradoxical category -- at my height I'd be bigger than 100% if I weighed 325 pounds.

Give me a few steam pots a week for a couple of years and I could probably get there.

Can that be right? Would someone who's 325 at 6'2" really be bigger than 99.5% of men his age? 325 isn't THAT big, is it?; 7/15/12, 2:50 PM
shirley elizabeth said...: I initially neglected to switch from kilograms to pounds....and was a bit baffled.

It was also creepy to be told how much more weight would be added to the earth if everyone were as fat. For real? You're going to guilt people like that? I thought diversity was awesome.; 7/15/12, 2:57 PM
Roger J. said...: Re diets--my weight has not changed much since finished basic training in 1961--went in the army weighing 145, finished basic at 165. I count myself as lucky that I have a fairly stable metabolism, but I also still exercise daily. Seems to me diet is only one factor in one's ability to maintain an appropriate weight. Exercise is at least a second and equally important component.; 7/15/12, 2:58 PM
Carol said...: Nigeria??

I think not.

Oh, and in "they're," the apostrophe replaces the "a" in "are." I see nothing wrong with that contraction, though it's not something you'd use in formal writing.

Grammar Police need to consult a reliable authority before busting someone.; 7/15/12, 3:05 PM
Toad Trend said...: Poland (!)

BMI = 27

You have a lower BMI than 67% of males aged 45-59 in your country

You have a higher BMI than 71% of males aged 45-59 in the world

5'11", 190 lb. (have been this weight plus/minus 5 for almost 30 years)

I work out just 3 days a week, still play hardball and ice hockey at this stage of my life - I could weigh less save for the love of beer and food in general. I never feel 'fat' when I go out because all I have to do is look around - heavy people everywhere.

What good would it be to go to the grave in perfect shape anyways?; 7/15/12, 3:17 PM
Anonymous said...: Bagoh, I eat ice cream, only there's no sugar in it, I use safe sweetners and add berries sometimes too. I make my own, I've never had better. None of that low fat stuff either.

I am not deprived of baked goods either, one just has to learn how to bake using different ingredients. There's a new paradigm in cooking and baking.; 7/15/12, 3:28 PM
Joe said...: Tanzania

I eat a normal, balanced diet, including ice cream, bread, eggs and bacon. I exercise 3x a week, don't smoke, drink alcohol or sodas. I avoid snacking.

If we're going to use anecdotal evidence as scientific evidence, then screw all the fancy diets; stick with a balanced diet where you consume as many or fewer calories than you use.; 7/15/12, 3:54 PM
Known Unknown said...: BMI is crap.

According to the numbers, LeBron James has a 28 BMI.

He's overweight.

I would love to have James's physique and conditioning.; 7/15/12, 4:02 PM
Anonymous said...: Joe, it's our Standard American Diet, which includes massive amounts of processed foods that caused the obesity epidemic and it's comorbidities. Simply saying eat a balanced diet doesn't cut mustard anymore.; 7/15/12, 4:21 PM
Unknown said...: I'm in better shape than 86% of folks. Thanks, South Beach diet!

I tried not doing the vegs, as Ann recommended, but felt bad and went to the MD. Something about my electrolytes...so be careful.; 7/15/12, 4:30 PM
Anonymous said...: Pat, when you cut carbs way down, one of the first things that happens is that you lose water. When you lose water you lose mainly potassium and sodium, electrolytes. So to avoid that you can take a supplement and increase your salt intake. It's only temporary, until your body adapts to burning fat for fuel instead of glucose.

Or eat pottasium rich foods. There are many vegetables that are non starchy. Also berries are lower in sugar than other fruits, perfectly acceptable on a low carb diet.; 7/15/12, 4:39 PM
Paul said...: So a man 6' tall weighing 200lbs who is a body builder is the same as man 6' tall weighing 200lbs who is a coach potato? What a bunch of crap.

The first thing you lose on a low carb diet is muscle mass. It's only a good diet for sedentary people. I tried it and in one week lost six pounds. One fat and five muscle. I couldn't lift the weights I was training with a week earlier and had to drop 10 lbs from my bench press and squats.

I found out that the Atkins diet is not recommended for people who are weight training.; 7/15/12, 5:16 PM
Michael said...: Dont Tread. I am 66 and just broke through my 190 pound govenor. I have been at 187 or so for fifteen years. I run five days a wee and work out two. Be careful! I am Holland at the moment but often eat like Somoa

Keep up the hockey. The best.; 7/15/12, 5:26 PM
Unknown said...: I know, Allie, thanks. I still think it's better to eat some low glycemic vegs than take a supplement.; 7/15/12, 5:34 PM
Anonymous said...: Paul, athletes do need higher carbs for fast energy, aren't there athletes that do low carb and then carb up for a race or a workout? I'm far from sedentary, but I'm not an athlete either.

I have not felt weak while eating this way, actually have never felt better and I have an autoimmune issue that used to flare much more often, now I rarely get flares.

But both of us are using anecdotes.

I wonder if Meade has felt weaker? He's an avid biker, no? I assume he is eating Lowcarb from what he and Anne have said recently.; 7/15/12, 5:35 PM
Anonymous said...: Oops, sorry Ann, Anne is my daughters middle name, always have to correct myself.; 7/15/12, 5:45 PM
Kelly said...: My BMI is 22. That is lower than 71 percent of the female population my age and I'm most like the woman of Burkina Faso. Never heard of the place.; 7/15/12, 6:15 PM
Wince said...: My results seem a little extreme. Everyone (100%) in the world?

It's like no matter how many subterranean shit-holes these experts visited there wasn't one person with a higher BMI than mine?

What about those shows where they have to take a chain saw to the door frames to get the guy out?

Are they kidding me?

Global: Above average

You have a higher BMI than 100% of males aged 45-59 in the world.

Did you know?
If everyone in the world had the same BMI as you, it would add 531,506,407 tonnes to the total weight of the world's population.; 7/15/12, 8:31 PM
Robert Cook said...: I am most like someone from Jamaica. I have a lower BMI than 81@ of American males aged 45 to 59, but a higher BMI than 54% of males around the world aged 45 to 59. I'd say that's not bad.

But I am working on losing about 6 or 7 pounds.; 7/15/12, 10:38 PM
Anonymous said...: I was most like a Canadian at BMI 28.
Protein Diet Plus bike & walk
Now I am Tunisian at 25 BMI
Stay on diet
Goal: to be like someone from SaoTome & Principe (??) at 23 BMI

Believe the Atkin's Diet was around 40 years ago - still works even even if you cheat with a bit of carbs occasionally; 7/16/12, 2:12 AM
Rusty said...: I am pushing maximum desity.

I could be a Chicago cop.; 7/16/12, 8:13 AM
cruiser said...: I am the same weight now as 25 years ago, but am 2 1/2 inches shorter. The reduction in height is a mechanical change (vertabral discs compressing with age)and the scale measures a physiographical relationship (weight [not fat] to height).
Hard to see where there is any useful information here.; 7/16/12, 10:29 AM
Meade said...: Try not to mistake me for a 45 year-old 5'-10" male Ugandan.

Since the first of February, my weight has dropped from 157 to 142 thanks to the high fat Taubes diet. Actually, my weight has been pretty steady at 145 for about a month now. But I just came down off a thirty foot ladder and then I stepped onto the bathroom scales.

Apparently, I scared 3 pounds of hubris out of mysel up there.; 7/16/12, 1:23 PM
Meade said...: Did I say 5'-10"? I meant 5'-9".; 7/16/12, 1:25 PM