If you could find out how you measure up, so to speak, against everyone else on the planet – in terms of where you stand on the global fat scale -would you be interested?
If so, then today is your lucky day because the BBC has just put a tool together why which you can do just that.
With the assistance of a recently published study by researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the BBC has designed an online calculator that allows you to find out where you sit on what they have named the global fat scale.
Using UN data on population size in 177 countries, together with estimates of global weight from the WHO and mean height from national health examination surveys the team were able to calculate average BMI figures for each country.
Using the values that you input into the calculator, it works out your BMI as well as where you are in relation to the rest of the population in your country and the world for your gender and age.
Just between us, I find this fascinating. Simply plug in some basic info, and up comes a readout.
How the global fat calculator works
The new BBC calculator can tell you if you are a healthy weight for your height and how you rank against others globally.
Using your age, sex, nationality, height and weight, it will come up with a number representing your Body Mass Index (BMI), one measure doctors use to gauge obesity. The BBC application then plots your BMI and shows how you compare to people from your own and other nations.
Researchers see global weight gain as a bigger threat to mankind than population growth. As well as the health implications, experts are also concerned about the environmental impact. The adult human population has a combined weight of 287,000,000 tonnes, researchers say. Increasing obesity could have the same impact on global resources as an extra billion people, they believe.
How I measured up
To give you an example, I ran my numbers through the quick calculator application. Within a few seconds, here are the results that popped up:
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BMI: 21
National ranking: Lower BMI than 92% of females in my age group in my country
Global ranking: Lower BMI than 76% of females in my age group in my country
“Did you know” factoid: If everyone in the world had the same BMI as you, it would remove 29,443,836 tonnes from the total weight of the world’s population
You are most like someone from: Papua New Guinea
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What does it all mean?
Granted, this takes into account those who are in impoverished countries, far from our overfed and gluttonous United States. It doesn’t mean we should ‘aspire’ to be like the indigent. And to be fair, many of our own US citizens do not have enough to eat. Nonetheless, a fascinating quick study of world populations, corpulence, and where you fit in on the global scale.
Run your own numbers theough the global fat scale calculator here.
Question for you:
What do you think of this application? Did you find it interesting as did I? Share your thoughts in replies below.
It’s easy to catch updates. Click here.
Fascinating! Here’s what came up for me:
BMI – 24
lower bmi than 84% of females in US
lower bmi than 59% of females world wide (in my age group)
Most like someone in – Yemen!
I loved looking at the lengthy chart below the readout.
Very interesting Lani – thanks for posting this, I linked it out for some friends so we can compare notes.
Jen
Hey Jen! Thanks for sharing your thoughts – and your results! I agree, it makes for interesting dinner conversation!
PINNED IT!! will come back and read it in more depth later!!
You rock! As always
Laura, I think you’ll have fun with it! Thanks for pinning 😉
Fiddle dee dee. lol.
Very interesting information. I am pleased that after eating plant strong my numbers are MUCH better than they would have been before. It is nice to see the perspective and encouraging to improve.
Lynnette – does this mean that you ran it twice, once for present and once for days gone by? I didn’t even think of that! What a good idea. I’m going to do that myself. Thanks!
BMI – 23
lower bmi than 87% of females in US
lower bmi than 66% of females world wide (in my age group)
Most like someone in – North Korea!
I always wondered what my BMI was, thanks for posting this.
Thank you for reporting in Sandie!
I do have another article with more information about taking some measurements, including BMI. You’ll find it here:
How to accurately find your waist to hip ratio + BMI (video):
http://www.lanimuelrath.com/fitness-tips/how-to-accurately-find-your-waist-to-hip-ratio-bmi-video/
Well, I know I have some to lose, but was shocked to find that my bmi is lower than 75% of women in my age bracket. It puts things in perspective and reminds me why others don’t think I have much weight to lose. Compared to the rest of the world, yes I do!
Sylvia, so was the 75% for US? Yes, it makes the huge numbers of obese in our population believable, doesn’t it?
Yes, it was for the US. I really thought I was near the middle. And I am, globally speaking.
Wow…
Interesting!
I really don’t care how I measure up to the rest of the world! I am so sick of this bmi BULL that it seems to be thrown in our face daily! When your overweight you know it and you don’t need a number to make youself feel worse! Also showing that photo of that lady makes me feel you are discriminating against woman being overweight! I am offended by you posting you personal bmi!! Alright we get it your skinny,,,,blah blah blah get over yourself! I wish people would treat everyone with respect and love no matter what one looks like. The world would be a better place…!
Hi Sue,
Thanks for your note. Your comments inspired me to run the calculator for myself 15 years ago when I just about hit 190lbs. Here are the results from that:
BMI: 29
Lower BMI than 60% in my group in country
Higher BMI than 73% in group in world
It is my hope to encourage the change that can be made with embracing a whole foods, low fat plant-based diet and simple activity. My intention is not to brag, just to show what’s possible. I don’t see how showing an overweight image, though, shows discrimination? I agree that showing respect and love for everyone is important, and no one has more compassion for those who struggle with weight than someone who has been very heavy themselves.
Thanks again for your thoughts.
You must have mixed up kilos and pounds to get a BMI of 63 at 190 pounds. How tall are you?
Frances, I came in early today to check my scores again because it just didn’t seem right. That is exactly what I did! I want to thank you for pointing out the error to me today and I’ve since made the corrections:
BMI: 29
Lower BMI than 60% in my group in country
Higher BMI than 73% in group in world
Still, quite a difference over the years. Thanks again.