Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for men not only to feel and look good, but is crucial in reducing the risk of diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, reports the Weight-control Information Network. Using the body mass index, you can determine where you stand in terms of a target weight for optimal health.
Defining Body Mass Index
The body mass index -- often abbreviated simply BMI -- is a mathematical formula that produces a standardized number based on a your height in inches and weight in pounds. The result of a body mass index calculation estimates overall body fat, allowing you to determine whether you are at or near your target weight, or if you are underweight, overweight or obese.
Healthy BMI Ranges
A body mass index of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered a normal, healthy weight, states the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A body mass index below 18.5 indicates that you may be underweight, while a BMI from 25.0 to 29.9 places you in the overweight range. A body mass index of 30 or higher indicates obesity -- a serious health concern for men of all ages.
Waist Size
Although the BMI tool is standardized for men, women and children, you can interpret it more specifically towards men's health by taking a measurement of your waist. Using your body mass index with a measurement of your waist, you can use the two figures to assess your risk for health problems such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. A waist size of 40 inches or more, for example, coupled with an obese-category BMI of over 30.0 is a key indicator of risk for diseases, especially later in life.
Considerations
Keep in mind that as a standardized tool, the body mass index may give you individual results which can be misleading. For example, if you are a bodybuilder, your BMI may indicate that you are overweight -- although it is counting much of your muscle pounds as fat pounds. It is vital to remember that the body mass index is a tool that you can use to see where you stand in terms of weight, but the BMI is not a substitute for a doctor's expertise.
Prevention/Solution
If you are a man whose BMI falls into the categories of obese, overweight or underweight, you should talk to your doctor about changes to your diet and lifestyle. Eating more whole-grain foods and raw green vegetables while cutting out fatty fast food meals and sugary snacks will go a long way to help you lose unwanted fat and pounds. A simple routine of cardiovascular exercise -- four to five time a week for 30 to forty 40 a session -- will also contribute to getting your BMI into a healthy range.
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