Body Mass Index Explanations

You can determine if you are at a healthy weight by calculating your body mass index, or BMI. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides a calculator for adults, who are to enter their height and weight to determine their percentage of body fat. Healthy adults should have a BMI rating of 18.5 to 24.9. Below 18.5 qualifies as underweight; 25 to 29.9 ranks as overweight; 30 or higher is obese.

Signifcance

Calculating your BMI can help you tailor your diet and fitness routine to ensure you stay at a healthy weight. The Department of Health and Human Services adds that having a high BMI puts you at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, some diabetes, blood pressure problems and other health issues.

Prevention/Solution

The Harvard School of Public Health's guide to getting to a healthy weight points out that some people do not get accurate readings of their health and fitness level by using only a BMI calculator. For example, people who do weight training or intense cardiovascular workouts tend to have more muscle mass, which adds to their weight. In these cases, people can use additional measures, such as resting heart rate and the circumference of their waist, to determine a target weight range.

Considerations

According to the Mayo Clinic's explanation of BMI, a single number cannot represent the diversity of health and weight issues. For example, older adults may have lost bone or muscle mass, making their numeric measure lower, even if they have a high percentage of body fat. Likewise, a BMI number does not address the location of the body fat. If you store excess fat in your abdominal area, for example, it presents a greater health risk.

Misconceptions

Pairing weight and height may seem too general for determining your percentage of body fat. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cite research showing BMI height and weight calculators as correlating with more nuanced measuring systems, including weighing people underwater or dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Expert Insight

Checking your BMI regularly can provide a general guide to your weight and health. However, your doctor can compare your BMI with other important information, including your health history and genetic factors.