Your body mass index, or BMI, is a helpful way to estimate your total body fat. This number is calculated by taking your height and weight and placing them in a mathematical equation to calculate an approximate amount of fat in relation to other tissues in the body. Although not the most accurate way to calculate body fat, there are several advantages to keeping track of your BMI while trying to maintain a healthy body weight.
Overweight
Knowing your BMI can alert you to the fact you are overweight, or are becoming close to being overweight. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute classifies any BMI score between 25 and 29.9 as being overweight. Knowing that you are overweight can encourage you to change your diet and get the necessary exercise to bring your BMI back down to a more healthy level---classified as a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9.
Obesity
Knowing your BMI can also help prevent and reverse obesity. Obesity is defined as a BMI higher than 30. Having a BMI this high can motivate you to lose the necessary weight to avoid developing weight-related health problems including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and even some forms of cancer, according to the National Weight Information Network.
Underweight
Knowing your BMI can also tell you whether you are underweight, which is classified as a BMI below 18.5. Being underweight and emaciated comes with its own health problems such as feeling weak or chilled, as well as a reduction in your overall longevity, says Dr. Myron Winick, of the Institute of Human Nutrition at Columbia University.
Progress Tracking
One of the main benefits of knowing your BMI is how easy it is to track your progress as you try to gain or lose weight. Knowing not only your weight but your BMI as well helps motivate you to continue losing weight---as well as can warn you if you start to gain back weight or lose too much weight.
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