The body mass index, or BMI, is a tool that doctors use to determine if a person's weight is healthy in relation to the person's height, according to the National Institutes of Health. When a person's BMI is above the healthy range of numbers, health risks increase. If the person loses weight, the BMI number will fall, and some of the obesity-related health risks will be reduced.
Formula
To determine your BMI, you must know your height in inches and your weight in pounds. Start by multiplying your weight by 703. Then divide the result by your height. Finally, divide that result by your height. So, a person who weighs 200 pounds and is 66 inches has a BMI of 32.28, which is considered obese. Here is the way the formula looks:
200 x 703 = 140,600
140,600 ÷ 66 = 2,130.303
2,130.303 ÷ 66 = 32.28
Classifications
There are two classifications for obesity on the BMI chart: obese and morbidly obese. A BMI of 30.0 to 39.9 is considered obese, and any number higher than that is considered morbidly obese. There are also classifications for overweight---25.0 to 29.9, healthy---18.5 to 24.9, and underweight---below 18.5.
Risks
Several health risks are associated with having a BMI that falls in the obese range. There is an increased risk of colon, endometrial and breast cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, gallbladder disease and respiratory problems are also associated with obesity.
Prevention and Solution
Losing weight by living a healthy lifestyle can help to reduce a person's BMI. A person who loses as little as 5 to 10 percent of her total body weight, which will reduce her BMI, can reduce obesity-related health risks. A healthy diet and exercise program is necessary to lose weight. Some patients may also use weight loss prescriptions or bariatric surgery to help shed the pounds needed to get to a healthy BMI.
Considerations
The BMI method isn't appropriate for everyone. Elderly people and serious athletes, such as bodybuilders, may need to use an alternate method because the BMI doesn't take body composition into account. The waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference measurement, hydrostatic weighing and body fat measurements are other alternatives to BMI. These can be used alone or in conjunction with the BMI and other health-related tests such as blood work.
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