I'm 6'4", 228 lbs and 28 years old. Can someone explain why, according to the BMI chart, I am considered overweight? I've been told my real BMI is 14.5%.

My advice; Ignore that chart!

If you are looking for soild info on your weight/size ratio, speak to a Doctor...

I am 6'3 and about 250ish lbs, and that chart has me pegged at Obese, which is nonsense. I suspect you and I have a very similar bone structure as well as similar Weight/Size ratio.

The BMI chart is more designed for Average Height/Weight/Structure people and does not easily take in to account the genetic markers and traits that make people like us well over the "recommended" weight for our size yet are NOT overweight.

Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_mass_index

Lady Fuschia's answer is very good and a more clear indication is waist to hip ratio. Measure your waist at the navel and your hips at the widest point. Divide waist by hips. A waist over 40 inches or a ratio over 0.9 for men and over 36 inches or 0.8 for women is a greater indicator of health problems.

Dr. Gourmet

BMI doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle. If its fat then your overweight. If its muscle...then rock on!

It's gotten anymore than anyone who hasn't showered in the past 3 hours is considered dirty, smelly and should be shipped off to the islands of hell.
If you put a pad of butter (not really butter, but just fake fat) on your baked genetically engineered potato and don't go out and run 20 miles then you're now a lard ass, lazy and an underachiever.
If your baby hasn't mastered trigonometry by the age of 1 year old then he or she is doomed to a life of poverty and will have the label of useless individual.
Your "BMI" not to be confused with your overpriced automobile is over .01 then hang it up buddy. By the time you reach 30 you're going to be a nobody if you don't look like one of those drones from exercise equipment infomercials tomorrow .

BMI charts are based on 'averages' Those averages consider a body fat to lean muscle mass ratio of the 'average' person. They do not take into account such things as bodybuilders (weighing in at 230+ pounds of lean muscle mass) nor do they take into account heavy bone densities, or folk who are a bit elongated (taller than average) who should have proportional organ mass and muscle mass to go with their size.

Arnold Schwarzenegger at the height of his career would be (overtly) obese compared to the chart, yet we all can take one look at him and clearly see the man was (is) fit.

BMI is for average density people - mostly those who do not do strenuous activity that builds muscle mass.

For the rest of us we need t rely on a body fat percentage measurement. The best one is water displacement where you are weight on dry land and weighed in a bath of water. Fat floats, muscle sinks - thus your displacement will tell your bodyfat percentage.

Even body fat measurements are coming under fire. Research as revealed that 'fat' people are usually fitter than skinnier people, able to run, lift weight and out last and out sport the skinnier folk.

BP at rest and when the heart rate is up tells more about ones fitness than any chart or even Body Fat percentage measurement. Cholesterol Levels, blood sugar all of these other things are better factors to determine 'fitness'.

Try this BMI calculator, and then throw out that number if your doctor says you're healthy!

Almost everyone at 6'3" would be considered obese. It is a rare person that has a high BMI that is muscle and not fat. The BMI charts are a guide and a great place to start looking at your health.

Dr. Gourmet

The BMI index is intended as a rough guide that should work for most people - it takes no account of build and muscle mass, gender, general health, or fat/muscle ratio. According to the BMI index both Brad Pitt and George Clooney are considered overweight, as are many people who do a lot of weight bearing exercise, simply because muscle weighs more than fat does.
The only way to gauge whether your weight is healthy or not is to consult a medical proffesional or nutritionist, who can take account of all factors.