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If you are concerned about your health, then you have probably heard about body mass index (BMI). Before the 1980’s this was not the standard that was used to determine a person’s healthy weight. Instead, simple tables were used to calculate weight per inch of height. However, BMI offers a more accurate way in which to test for obesity and find a person’s healthy weight.

What is BMI

BMI uses height and weight to measure for obesity. This is a standardized measure that is very easy to use and understand. Herein there is only 1 calculation to make for adults over the age of 20, regardless as to whether you are a man or a woman.

Why BMI Is Important

BMI is important because if it is high, then you have an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease, hypertension, lipid disorders, type 2 diabetes, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems and certain types of cancer. This is also a way in which you can tell whether or not you are considered to be “obese.” With this number in mind, health professionals are able to discuss weight problems more objectively with their patients.

Most of the time, a child’s growth is also documented against a BMI-measured growth chart. This allows for obesity trends to be calculated. Of course, a child’s health issues also need to be taken into consideration here as should the child’s body composition.


How To Calculate BMI

Body mass index is defined as the individual’s body weight divided by the square of their height. In order to calculate your BMI you need to use the following formula:

1. Multiply your weight in pounds by 703.
2. Divide that number by your height in inches, squared. (To square your height in inches you simply multiply your height by itself.)
3. Round the first decimal point up if needed.

An even easier way of doing this is to simply use one of the countless BMI calculators that is available for free online. There are also charts that can be used. Herein the horizontal axis stands for a person’s weight while the vertical axis represents their height. There are then different colors used to represent the different BMI categories that a person may fall within.

Understanding BMI

Once you have your BMI number you will be able to tell whether or not you are obese or underweight by looking at the following information:

1. A BMI of under 18.5 shows that a person is underweight. This person may be deliberately restricting their food intake, or adopting other strategies, in order to be as thin as they would like. Of course, this is unhealthy and may lead to health problems that are associated with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.
2. A BMI of 18.5 to 25 is considered to be normal.
3. A BMI of 25 to 30 demonstrates that a person is actually overweight. This means that the person is at a greater risk for developing heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, some types of cancer and other such diseases. Herein it is important that steps be taken to lose weight.
4. A BMI of 30 to 40 means that a person is obese. Herein it is beneficial for the person’s doctor to give advice on how to lose weight.
5. A BMI that is over 40 means that a person is morbidly obese.

Limitations Of BMI

While BMI may be a useful tool in monitoring someone’s health status, the medical community notes that it does have its limitations and shortcomings. Some of these limitations include:

1. BMI measures total body weight, not the actual amount of fat a person is carrying.
2. A lot of athletes have a BMI that indicates that they are overweight when they actually are not. The reason why their BMI is higher is because of their extra muscle mass, not because of excess body fat.
3. There are also some athletes that are underweight according to their BMI because of low body fat, which develops naturally as a result of their particular sport.
4. Some people are naturally thin-framed and their BMI inaccurately determines that they are underweight. This is also true of those who are either elderly or sick and have thus lost muscle mass. However, in both cases it is normal to lose muscle mass and body fat.
5. It is also important to understand that just because BMI falls within the normal range a person is not necessarily in perfect health, getting enough exercise or eating a healthy range of foods. These people may also be carrying more body fat than is healthy for them.
6. Shape is also important even though it is not taken into consideration by BMI. As such, a person’s waist circumference must also be taken into consideration because it may be too high. This is important because having an apple shape carries more health risks than having a pear shape, even if the person has a normal BMI. For instance, those people who are apple shaped are at a higher risk of developing heart disease.

Conclusion

While BMI can indicate a lot of things, there are definitely some limits. It is important to take into account a person’s overall health efforts in order to see just how healthy they are. BMI should be included in this but it should not be the sole item that is used.

I have a few short term fitness goals that I have been having a hard time keep up with. So to help myself out I think that I am going to post them here and then make sure that I give everyone a monthly update.

My first goal is to bring my overall weight from my current 250lbs to 225lbs. This is something that I feel that I can accomplish within 4 months.

The bigger goal is to run 5km. This is going to be tough for me since I have never been that fond of running, or even jogging. But I think that it is completely doable. While the weather is not too cold I am going to be doing my running training out side, and I have found a great podcast to help me get out there and running. It basically tells you want to do and has a training schedule.

A couple of other goals that I have is to eat less processed food and more local fresh food.

The final goal that I have is to reduce the waistline. Working in front of a computer for a living makes this HUGE. I am young and yet I have a gut. I want to change the trend NOW and not wait till I get out of breath walking up the stairs of my apartment and have a doc telling me I can’t eat bacon anymore. NEVER, and I LOVE bacon.