What is BMI ( Body Mass Index)? How it can be calculated? When a person should be worried about increasing BMI? Where one can go to reduce find BMI? Which is the best method to calculate BMI and who can do it? BMI is applicable to whom and whose BMI is the best. This article answers all these questions.
Physical health is measured (with few exceptions) through appropriateness of a person’s weight to his own height; where body weight refers to the measure of his heaviness and the height is the measure of one's tallness. For example, a woman measuring 5 ft high (1.5 m), with medium body frame should weigh between 103 - 115 lbs (46.7 kg - 52.2 kg) is considered healthy.
Another example is: a man standing 5 ft 8 in (1.7 m) tall, with large body frame is healthy; if he is weighed between 144 - 163 lbs (65.3 kg - 73.9 kg). Otherwise, if his weight is lesser than the desired body weight for his height, he is considered underweight. And if, in turn, his weight is higher than desired body weight for their height, he is said to be overweight. Body Mass Index is indicator of surplus body fat (accumulated in the body) and has since replaced the height-weight charts as mentioned in the above mentioned examples.
It is a mathematical ratio of height to the weight that is used to determine body composition (or the body fat percentage) to assess a person’s level of health risk. How the BMI can be calculated? Fol the following procedure:-
BMI = Weight (in kg) or BMI = Weight (in lbs) x 700 Height (in m)2 Height (in inches)2
For example, the calculation for someone weighing 80 kg (176 lbs) and 1.60 m (63 in) tall is:
BMI = 80 = 31.2 or BMI = 176 x 700 = 31.1 1602 632
People with a BMI of 25.1 to 29.9 are considered overweight, and the people with a BMI of 30 or above are considered obese (fat). Thus, from the above mentioned example, a person that is weighing 80 kg and is 1.60 m tall is obese.
A high BMI assumes a higher percentage of body fat, that places a person at greater risk for developing chronic diseases and other serious illnesses. BMI is an approximation of health risks that a person may have. But having MBI control really reduces health risks by keeping a person's weight under control. BMI Weight Category 19 and under Underweight 20-25 Normal (Healthy) 26-29 Overweight 30 and above Obese Body weight categories according to BMI.
Moreover, for some people, the BMI is not a very reliable indication of health. A highly muscled individual who is very fit and healthy might have a somewhat heavy body weight as muscles pack on a lot of pounds. This person might have a higher BMI that improperly puts him or her in the overweight or far/ obese categories.
Likewise, the thin individuals who have a low body weight with very little muscle and a higher percentage of fat may have a normal BMI, which would be an incorrect indication of their healthiness. If you are overweight or obese according to calculations shown here, it is imperative that you should undertake a weight loss and fitness program and start bringing that weight down.
Remember that for every 10 pounds that you are over your ideal weight, the risks to your health increase. Likewise, for every 10 pounds that you lose, bringing you closer to your ideal weight, the risks to your health decrease correspondingly. The MBI method is fairly scientific and is recognized as a satisfactory indicator for achieving better health goals.
I do expact that above article would help in improving your health. It tells why knowing BMI is important. If you want to know it better, go to the top again.
You must be logged in to post a comment.