1. Calculate Your Fat
Body Mass Index, or BMI, is an accurate way to determine the amount of fatness in your body. While it doesn't directly measure the amount of body fat, studies prove that a BMI calculator is just as accurate as high tech measurements like under water weighing and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. This test is not invasive; in fact, it only requires your height and your weight to get accurate results. Anyone can calculate BMI and it's free when you use an online BMI calculator.
2. The Result Equals Your Risk
The purpose of a BMI calculator is to determine your risk for weight related conditions, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Your level of obesity is what increases your risk, and that's the focus of the BMI calculator. A person with a BMI below 18.5 is underweight; 18.5 to 24.9 is the normal range; 25 to 29.9 means a person is overweight; obese is a BMI of 30 or above.
3. Results Vary by Age
BMI for children and teenagers is different from BMI calculated for adults. Usually, physicians refer to child test results as percentiles instead of BMI. The amount of body fat in a child is variable, depending on his age. Moreover, the body fat difference is quite notable between girls and boys, resulting in gender appropriate percentiles. It's also common for children to move up and down the percentile chart as growth spurts come and go.
4. The Eating Disorder Effect
Doctors most often use BMI calculators to screen for obesity, but it's also a valuable tool to screen for potential eating disorders like anorexia. It's normal for some people to be thin, and the BMI calculator allows for that. However, if weight gain in children has stopped or if someone suddenly starts to lose weight, there might be trouble. A BMI under 17.5 is potentially a sign of an eating disorder. Signs that you should report to your doctor include diarrhea, vomiting, low energy levels and an unhealthy diet.
5. Men vs. Women, Athlete vs. Benchwarmer
Women do tend to carry more body fat than men, but doctors still use the adult BMI for both men and women. It's important to keep your own situation in mind when you talk to your doctor. Some athletes might register a high BMI because of their weight. However, an examination by a physician notes that it's actually muscle, not fat, that increases the weight of the athlete, so there's no cause for alarm. Doctors say in general, anyone 20 years old and older can rely on the adult BMI calculator.
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