BMI of >> 40

Is BMI strictly a height weight formula? I understand "generally" the heavier you are, the greater likely hood you are out of shape, but that is not always the case. There are people in great shape, muscular and cardiovascular, that would be pushing the 30 mark and if neck size is factored in, then they would fall into the risky bucket. Seems like they should take some measure of body fat % to see if your BMI/neck is truly indicative of an issue or not.
 
They are looking for obstructive sleep apnea. The BMI is just a marker and it is easy to calculate since they already have the height and weight. If it is elevated and the sleep study is norma, there is no worry. I don't see any reason to get your shorts in a wad over this guys.
 
My Flight Surgeon said:
They are looking for obstructive sleep apnea. The BMI is just a marker and it is easy to calculate since they already have the height and weight. If it is elevated and the sleep study is norma, there is no worry. I don't see any reason to get your shorts in a wad over this guys.
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http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-Sleep-Study-price-range
RE: Sleep Study price range
I live in New Jersey and paid 5800.00 dollars.Thats what they charged my ins. company.

My company won't pay for it, and my insurance company wont either. I better not need it!
 
The above is a reason to get your shorts in a wad...

Anybody know where I can buy stock in FAA approved Sleep Clinics? Gonna be a growth industry.

If you don't pass the test you better get used to carrying a Cpap around in your flight bag so you'll have it on layovers. This is gonna be a mess. My BMI is 21.5 but I've seen what happens when you run afoul of the FAA medical bureaucracy. Hey ATN, you still think it's dumb to sue the FAA? Somebody's gonna have a field day with this one.
 
DE727UPS said:
The above is a reason to get your shorts in a wad...

Anybody know where I can buy stock in FAA approved Sleep Clinics? Gonna be a growth industry.

If you don't pass the test you better get used to carrying a Cpap around in your flight bag so you'll have it on layovers. This is gonna be a mess. My BMI is 21.5 but I've seen what happens when you run afoul of the FAA medical bureaucracy. Hey ATN, you still think it's dumb to sue the FAA? Somebody's gonna have a field day with this one.
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Itchy said:
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-Sleep-Study-price-range
RE: Sleep Study price range
I live in New Jersey and paid 5800.00 dollars.Thats what they charged my ins. company.

My company won't pay for it, and my insurance company wont either. I better not need it!
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Did you actually pay that out of pocket? Then you likely got ripped off. Health care providers "bill" unbelievably inflated fees that are many times what any of their contracts stipulate they will get paid for a particular service. If you are ever stuck with one of those inflated bills, you should be able to talk them down to the price they usually get paid by an insurance company.

As an example, I had a routine electrolyte panel recently. The lab billed $450, the amount "allowed" (by the insurance contract) was $25, and that's what I paid since my deductible was not yet satisfied. That $450 price is just an imaginary number someone made up. Unfortunately, if you don't know better, you might end up paying it.

Here's a great website where you can get a feel for what a "fair" price is for a particular service. https://www.healthcarebluebook.com/page_Results.aspx?id=204&dataset=MD&g=Sleep Study
ATN_Pilot said:
So is the only treatment a CPAP machine? Because that just ain't happening.
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Well, if you do have sleep apnea and you don't treat it, guess what is happening: hypertension, weight gain, chronic fatigue, floppy eyelid syndrome, etc. I hope I never have to wear a CPAP machine but if I have to in order to be healthy, I will.
 
My Flight Surgeon said:
They are looking for obstructive sleep apnea. The BMI is just a marker and it is easy to calculate since they already have the height and weight. If it is elevated and the sleep study is norma, there is no worry. I don't see any reason to get your shorts in a wad over this guys.
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If the FAA is so concerned with OSA why not just require all pilots to complete a sleep study within the next two years?

This is nothing more than bullying at the adult level.
 
flyinguitar said:
Did you actually pay that out of pocket? Then you likely got ripped off. Health care providers "bill" unbelievably inflated fees that are many times what any of their contracts stipulate they will get paid for a particular service. If you are ever stuck with one of those inflated bills, you should be able to talk them down to the price they usually get paid by an insurance company.

As an example, I had a routine electrolyte panel recently. The lab billed $450, the amount "allowed" (by the insurance contract) was $25, and that's what I paid since my deductible was not yet satisfied. That $450 price is just an imaginary number someone made up. Unfortunately, if you don't know better, you might end up paying it.

Here's a great website where you can get a feel for what a "fair" price is for a particular service. https://www.healthcarebluebook.com/page_Results.aspx?id=204&dataset=MD&g=Sleep Study

Well, if you do have sleep apnea and you don't treat it, guess what is happening: hypertension, weight gain, chronic fatigue, floppy eyelid syndrome, etc. I hope I never have to wear a CPAP machine but if I have to in order to be healthy, I will.
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I did not, I simply googled average cost for a sleep study. Thanks for the link.
 
What's your thoughts on the "ideal" BMI?

I assume these rules will creep into Canada soon, but when I check BMI info the ideal BMI is 24.9?

In order for me to have a BMI of 24.9 with the type of build I have, I would have to lose all muscle mass, and go on a starvation diet.

For example, I recently lost 20 pounds over the course of a year. Ten of which I gained back after in muscle, I've never felt in better shape, but I'm not even close to 24.9, just a bit over 30. I have no sleep apnea, I have great blood pressure.

If they want to test for Sleep apnea just put their spouse or significant other on a lie detector test. Ever been in the same room, or heck even building with someone with sleep apnea? It's terrifying.
 
canadian_atc said:
What's your thoughts on the "ideal" BMI?

I assume these rules will creep into Canada soon, but when I check BMI info the ideal BMI is 24.9?

In order for me to have a BMI of 24.9 with the type of build I have, I would have to lose all muscle mass, and go on a starvation diet.
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This, BMI is BS, in order of me to get to a healthy BMI, I would be nothing but skin and bones, I would have to lose muscle mass and end up being nothing. Most professional athletes are obese by BMI yet are in peak physical condition. In my opinion BMI is really poor measure of actual physical health.
 
skypilot6 said:
This, BMI is BS, in order of me to get to a healthy BMI, I would be nothing but skin and bones, I would have to lose muscle mass and end up being nothing. Most professional athletes are obese by BMI yet are in peak physical condition. In my opinion BMI is really poor measure of actual physical health.
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Thats not just your opinion, its shared by many in the medical profession.
 
So what if we have a 17 inch neck but a lower BMI. I've worm 17.5 in shirts since I was in high school. My BMI is currently 31.2 and yes I'm working on getting it down. Currently I'm 6 foot and 230.
 
Dr. Forred, could you clarify the criteria?

Is the sleep test required if you have BMI > 40 AND neck size >17", or is it an either/or type situation?
 
Just from the bleachers here but if you're under 40, especially under 30, start thinking about diet and exercise plans. The things that I did in my 20's made for a porky Derg in my 30's and when I finally realized I needed some diet and exercise changes, it was a lot harder getting on track as I approached 40.

Don't wait. Your metabolism WILL change. You're not special.
 
skypilot6 said:
This, BMI is BS, in order of me to get to a healthy BMI, I would be nothing but skin and bones, I would have to lose muscle mass and end up being nothing. Most professional athletes are obese by BMI yet are in peak physical condition. In my opinion BMI is really poor measure of actual physical health.
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Mike Phelps has a BMI of 23.6, Kobe Bryant 23.7, Lance Armstrong 23.7, Pele 22.8, David Beckham 22.4, Jordan was 25 and Steve Yzerman tips the scales as JUST overweight at 25.8.

Football players might be giants, but most athletes aren't.

As for me, I'll go hit the exercise bike and lose the 30 pounds I need to lose anyway instead of complaining about how the man is keeping me down on the internets. I've got some bike races I want to do this summer, and some mountains to hike to the top of next winter, and I won't be doing that at my current weight.
 
I read Doc's post that right now it's 10 wks to get the SI. I imagine that will increase dramatically after this policy is implemented.

Funny, they note the Go! deal where both folks up front fell asleep. Only the CA had undiagnosed OSA. BUT let's tap dance around the whole duty/circadian rythems issue.
 
jtrain609 said:
Mike Phelps has a BMI of 23.6, Kobe Bryant 23.7, Lance Armstrong 23.7, Pele 22.8, David Beckham 22.4, Jordan was 25 and Steve Yzerman tips the scales as JUST overweight at 25.8.

Football players might be giants, but most athletes aren't.

As for me, I'll go hit the exercise bike and lose the 30 pounds I need to lose anyway instead of complaining about how the man is keeping me down on the internets. I've got some bike races I want to do this summer, and some mountains to hike to the top of next winter, and I won't be doing that at my current weight.
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Alex Rodriguez- 28.1, Lebron James- 27.3, Peyton Manning- 27.3, Drew Brees- 28.3 Sidney Crosby- 27.9

So alright "Obese" might be a stretch, but Overweight? those guys fit the bill. And truth be told you and I could go back and forth all day long picking out athletes that do and don't fit the bill of healthy vs overweight.

Im all for exercising and getting in shape, personally this year I have lost close to 50 pounds as I knew I was going in a bad direction. And have documented a little bit of my progress in the runners thread. however in order for me to reach a "healthy" BMI I will have to lose ANOTHER 50 POUNDS! to get to a weight of 175 at a height of 5' 10" There will be nothing left of me. I would have to lose muscle mass to get that low. BMI is a bad calculator of health, its a "Easy" one which is why it is used. An more accurate calculator would be to figure out someones body fat % and a blood draw for general health. However these are too time consuming and costly. Tho the benefit of doing so greatly outweighs the generic BMI scale.
 
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