Define BMI

According to the World Health Organization, obesity has reached a global epidemic, with over 1 billion adults being overweight. Health care professionals across the globe need assessment tools for determining obesity that are easy to use and require minimal, to no equipment. BMI is such an assessment tool. Healthcare and fitness professionals use BMI to determine obesity and a plan of action to lower BMI values.

The Facts

BMI or body mass index is a height to weight ratio. In order to calculate BMI, divide weight in pounds by height in inches squared then multiply the number by 703. Results from BMI assessment are a good indicator of potential disease risk.

Identification

If BMI is below 18.5, an individual is considered underweight. If a BMI is 18.5 to 24.9, an individual is considered normal weight. If an individual has a BMI of 25 to 29.9, they are considered overweight. BMIs of 30 and above put individuals in the obese category and at increased risk of disease.

Warning

Individuals that have BMIs that fall into the overweight and obese category are at risk of developing diet-related diseases. Increased consumption of energy dense and nutrient poor foods increase the incidence of developing diseases such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and coronary heart disease.

Expert Insight

Studies published by RTI International and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 1999 and 2006 found that annual medical expenditures attributed to obesity have more than doubled in less than a decade. Researchers estimate that obese Americans spend $147 billion per year for medical costs. Obese individuals have 42 percent more medical costs than an individual of normal weight.

Considerations

BMI is better suited to determine disease risk not body fat percentage. Athletes, expectant mothers and individuals with a large amount of muscle should use tests such as skinfold assessment, hydrostatic weighing, and bioelectrical impedance to determine body fat percentages instead of BMI. A healthy BMI is also not a replacement for an annual physical to determine overall health.