BMI
Let’s take a look at what this is, why you should be familiar with it and if you should be concerned by your numbers.
Body Mass Index
Body Mass Index is a commonly used calculation that represents the ratio of a person’s body weight to his or her height. Below is one way to calculate your BMI or you can click on the link to use the BMI calculator offered by The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Weight (in pounds) divided by Height (in inches) squared x 703
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm
Standard ranges for BMI are below.
Underweight less than 18.5
Normal Weight 18.5 – 24.9
Overweight 25 – 29.9
Obese 30 – 39.9
Okay, so you’ve done your calculation and maybe you aren’t too happy with the range you fall in. Don’t freak out. While BMI calculations are used to assess your overall health, they aren’t the perfect answer for everyone. BMI can’t tell you how much of a person’s body mass is composed of fat or muscle. So for example, a body builders BMI calculation would probably indicate they’re obese when in fact they aren’t, this also applies to pregnant and lactating women. Also keep in mind that BMI calculations are based on adults and aren’t appropriate to use for children and the elderly. Differences in bone and muscle mass vary drastically for these two groups.
So what does this all mean? Is BMI important or should you just ignore it? For many people, BMI is a good indicator of overall health. Being underweight and overweight can both be problematic when it comes to health. It is important to remember that many factors need to be considered when assessing what a healthful body weight is. Here are just a handful of things to keep in mind when assessing your body weight.
Is your weight appropriate for your age and physical development?
Can you sustain your weight without constantly dieting?
Does your weight allow you to maintain normal blood pressure, lipid levels and blood glucose?
What is your genetic background and family history of body shape?
Does your weight allow you to engage in regular physical activity (do you have the energy & mobility to do so)?
If you answered no to some of these questions, it may be time to take a closer look at what you can do to change that answer to yes. Body weight has been directly linked to many chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, etc.). Knowing where you stand is the first step towards determining what a healthful weight for you is.