Lucy Devine
A woman on TikTok has revealed how doctors told her she was 'obese' - despite being a UK size 10.
TikToker @reganellisx took to her platform where she explained how at 5ft 7, and weighing 11st 12lb, she was told by her doctor that she had crossed into the 'obese' category, according to her BMI.
BMI is a measure that uses height and weight to assess whether you're at a healthy weight.
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It divides an adult's weight in kilograms by their height in metres squared. For most adults, an ideal BMI is in the 18.5 to 24.9 range, if it's over this number, you're deemed to be 'overweight'.
If the number is higher than 30, you're classed as 'obese'.
"I went to the doctors a couple of months ago and I was weighing about 11st 12lb," Regan began.
"A bit bigger than what I usually am, but is what it is. [...] So I went to the doctors and I went to get a blood test result up at the hospital and he sits there and before giving me my results goes, 'Regan, you're obese.
"[...] 'On the BMI chart, you're 5ft 7, you are obese, you're on the line of obese'."
Regan explained that the doctor proceeded to tell her 'how fat she was' and suggested she lose two and a half stone in six months, providing her with some weight loss medication to help.
Regan went on to explain that she ended up losing 10 pounds, but despite this, she was told again that she was 'still overweight' and needed to lose another nine or 10 pounds.
"I'm a UK size 10, how am I fat? How am I overweight?" she continued.
"What a complex to give a young girl [...] just let me be happy."
Other users were outraged for Regan, with one commenting: "BMI chart is SO outdated! I don’t know why they still have it."
And another said: "Crying at this for you, they don’t have a clue. BMI means absolutely nothing."
The question of whether BMI is an accurate way to measure obesity has been a much debated topic for many years.
One reason for this is muscle mass. Some people carry more muscle than others, which is denser, and could therefore lead to a higher BMI, despite that person potentially being fit and healthy.
Another factor is that it doesn't take into account waist circumference, which is said to impact the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disease.
Earlier this week, we told you how First Dates star Laura Tott was left in shock when doctors said her BMI deemed her to be 'overweight'.
You can read more on that here.