Your body weight says a lot about your overall health. Obesity is increasing in the United States, and according to The National Library of Medicine it can lead to chronic health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis and some cancers. Body mass index, or BMI, is a ratio of your height and your weight that can determine if you are overweight compared to your ideal range.
How It's Calculated
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, body mass index is a number calculated from your body weight and your height. They state that the BMI is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. To calculate a BMI, perform three steps. First, multiply your weight in pounds by 703. Then divide the product by your height in inches, and divide that answer again by your height in inches.
Ranges
After you have performed the calculation, check to see what category you fall into. The National Library of Medicine advises that this category determines whether you need to be concerned about your weight. The categories range from underweight to morbidly obese. A reading below 18.5 is considered underweight and a reading between 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy. If you score above 25.0 up to 29.9 you are considered overweight. Readings above 30.0 and 40.0 are considered obese and morbidly obese respectively.
Significance
Your BMI is suggestive of your risk for chronic disease. The National Library of Medicine states that an overweight reading warns of stress on your heart, which can lead to serious health problems. They note that your BMI alone cannot predict your health risk but do acknowledge that a BMI greater than 30 is unhealthy.
Considerations
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, maintaining a healthy body weight can reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain forms of cancer such as breast, colon, kidney, pancreas, and esophageal cancer. The National Library of Medicine states that if Americans maintained a healthy body weight, over 300,000 deaths could be prevented each year. Using the BMI calculation to determine your category is a good way to determine if you should start a weight loss program.
Prevention
To prevent weight gain and to lower your BMI to a normal range of 18.5 to 24.9, it is important to engage in physical activity for 30 minutes most days of the week. The Harvard School of Public Health stresses five tips for maintaining a healthy body weight, including banning extreme fad diets, getting more active each day, turning off the television, avoiding sugary drinks and watching the types of foods that you eat. They recommend a diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and healthy oils like olive oil. They also state that you should avoid processed foods, trans-fats and a high intake of saturated fats.
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