The Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a calculation developed to help you determine what portion of your body is composed of fat. The BMI considers the proportion of height vs. weight and uses these factors to categorize your weight. Although there are countless other factors that contribute to a healthy weight, the Body Mass Index is a useful tool for identifying potential weight-related health risks.
Using the BMI Table
The body mass index is organized into a table that lists different body heights on the vertical axis and body weights on the horizontal axis. After locating the height and weight that most accurately matches your own, you can identify your approximate BMI by looking at the corresponding values listed at the top of the table. A children’s BMI table also factors in age in order to generate a percentile range to classify healthy and unhealthy weights.
Classification
Using the height vs. weight proportion, individuals are classified into four groups: underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obese. For adults, a healthy body mass index ranges from 18.5 to 24.9, while a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight and a BMI over 30 is obese. Individuals with a BMI below 18.5 have an extremely low body fat percentage and are considered underweight. For children, a BMI in the 5th to 84th percentile is classified as healthy, according to KidsHealth.org. The 85th to 94th percentile represents obesity, while a BMI in the 95th percentile or above is a sign of serious obesity.
Exceptions
The BMI table is not able to consider every factor that contributes to weight. For example, a higher weight in many athletes is the result of a greater percentage of muscle rather than fat, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute points out. Similarly, a lower body weight is normal for many elderly individuals due to loss of muscle. While similar exceptions can apply to children, the percentile method used on the children’s BMI table also takes additional factors into consideration, such as weight gain during puberty and the different growth cycles experienced by boys and girls. In addition to the BMI table, KidsHealth.org recommends consulting a physician about your child’s growth and development.
Distribution
The distribution of weight also plays are large part in an individual’s long-term health. For example, two people of the same weight, but vastly different heights, would not have the same BMI. The location of body fat also affects your overall health. For this reason, the NHLBI also considers waist circumference when determining a healthy body weight. A person who carries more weight around the waist than at the hips has a higher risk of heart disease and other conditions. A male waist size above 40 inches and a female waist size above 35 inches are considered to be extremely high risk.
Risk Factors
The classifications of the BMI table were established in direct relation to medical studies concerning weight and related diseases, making them a reliable tool to assist you identifying potential health risks that should be addressed. Individuals classified as overweight or obese are have an increased risk of developing health conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, and respiratory problems, says the Center of Disease Control and Prevention.
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