Although the formula is (way!) older, the BMI was imported to public health in the 70s and the categories were devised by the NIH in 1985, slightly revised in 1

Although the formula is (way!) older, the BMI was imported to public health in the 70s and the categories were devised by the NIH in 1985, slightly revised in 1998. I also feel the example you gave is extremely low, but less so if you consider the subject as a female, don't you think? It has a BMI of 19, which, on men, I feel most physicians would frown upon. Bear in mind national standards; I'm from Portugal, the normal here might be thinner. As a curiosity, in France and Spain fashion shows can't use models with BMI > 18. Your example minus 8 lb wouldn't even be allowed in fashion shows, where people are expected to be ungodly underweight. As such, I think a physician would also interpret this as dangerously low value. Also, it seems to me that this is a great example of how BMI can be very useful! Waist circumference, percent of body fat or other body composition indicators would actually be worse to indicate a underweight person in this case..