One tool for determining nutritional choices you should make is body mass index. BMI relates height to weight. The calories you consume through diet affect how much you weigh, and influence your BMI.
BMI
Your BMI estimates your body fat, and is determined from your height and weight. BMI lets you know if you're underweight, overweight or normal weight. Calculate your BMI using the equation:
BMI = [Weight in Pounds / ( Height in inches x Height in inches )] x 703
For example, a 6-foot person weighing 185 lbs. has a BMI of 25.09.
BMI Chart
The BMI chart uses your BMI value to determine whether you are underweight, overweight or normal weight. A BMI of 18.5 or less is underweight; 18.6 to 24.99 is normal weight; 25 to 29.99 is overweight; 30 to 34.99 is obese, class 1; 35 to 39.99 is obese, class 2; and 40 or greater is morbidly obese.
Calories
The number of calories you eat influences your BMI. If you eat more calories than you need each day, your weight increases and your BMI will increase. There are 3,500 calories in 1 lb. of fat. To lower your BMI, cut calories from you daily diet. MedlinePlus.com recommends cutting 500 calories per day to lose 1 lb. per week.
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