Mash gets it spot on IMO

[Scary]

Obesity is not something to be glorified, it kills many thousands of people each year (orders of magnitude more than anorexia, for example).

[EternalOptimist]

The big question is not about anorexia, or obesity, or BMI or any of that nonsense.
which one would win in a naked spaghetti wrestling contest ?

my money is on the porker

[Mich the Tester]

Obesity is not something to be glorified, it kills many thousands of people each year (orders of magnitude more than anorexia, for example).

Right, but how do you want to measure it?

I’d say the only reliable measure is body fat levels. But even people with relatively high levels of fat can have good aerobic fitness.

[Churchill]

The big question is not about anorexia, or obesity, or BMI or any of that nonsense.
which one would win in a naked spaghetti wrestling contest ?

Ring Menelaus, he does a pasta delivery service, quick too!

[sasguru]

BMI is no use for individuals. It was always, and is intended for statistical use in measuring whole populations. The fact that insurers use it in calculating premiums is more evidence that the financial industry is seriously confused about the nature of risk and probability, which are two very different things.

.

I'm afraid that para betrays quite an ignorance of statistics and actuarial science.
BMI has the same function as smoking status.
A high BMI is an indicator of a higher probability of health problems to come, as is being a smoker.

Of course there's always Uncle Fred who smoked 100 a day till 90. But that is irrelevant to the main argument.

[Platypus]

my money is on the porker

Sorry I'm a bit deaf. Say again? Did you say your man thing is in the porker?

[lukemg]

Ok, not the most subtle response from NLUK but have to say he has got a point. I prefer them a bit trimmer given a choice, this is not due to the meeja, just my preference and I don't give a stuff what the average size is, that doesn't make me fancy chubbers. You can always dig up a pretty one like this to make a point, head for a northern town centre for similar sized examples that are not so good.
As for BMI and athletes - yawn, at these extremes the calcs look flawed (same with elite rugby players) but are a reasonable measurement and indication for the vast majority of people.
Finally, in my extensive experience, they almost without exception get bigger over time so probably best to start with a trim one if possible !!

[Platypus]

they almost without exception get bigger over time so probably best to start with a trim one if possible !!

Amen !

[The_Equalizer]

Nothing wrong with a bit of chunk.

[EternalOptimist]

And right there ladies, you can see the difference between us Northern, He-men, with our rippling six packs and chiselled good looks

vs
the Southern gaylord, felching, bum bandit southerners.

we want to see you naked wrestling in noodles, they want fix a proper premium for your policy

i rest my case