BMI & Calories for Weight Loss

BMI & Calories for Weight Loss
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BMI, or body mass index, is a number derived from your height and weight. BMI values directly correlate to percentages of total weight from fat. If you have a high BMI, calculate how many calories you need cut to facilitate weight loss.

BMI Scores

People with a BMI score of 18.5 and below are classified as underweight. Normal scores are identified as 18.5 to 24.9. Overweight individuals have scores ranging from 25.0 to 29.9. Obesity is associated with scores of 30 and higher.

Calorie Intake

Weight loss occurs when the amount of calories you expend is greater than the calories you consume. According to MayoClinic.com, 1 lb. equals to 3,500 calories, so a daily deficit of 500 calories will make you lose 1 lb. per week.

Safe Weight Loss

MayoClinic.com notes that a safe weight loss involves losing no more than 1 to 2 lbs. per week. Use a BMI and calorie calculator to determine how many calories you need to burn for a safe weight loss rate (see Resources).

References

Article reviewed by Roman Tsivkin Last updated on: Nov 4, 2010

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