Reaching your ideal weight for your height can help you lower your risk for developing some types of cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other conditions, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Calculating your body mass index, or BMI, is a common method to determine your risk of developing obesity-related conditions. Keeping your BMI in the normal range can help you stay healthy.
About BMI
As your BMI increases, so do your risks for developing obesity-related diseases, reports the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Although BMI is not a perfect measure, it is a fairly reliable indicator of risk. You can calculate your BMI by dividing your weight in pounds by your height -- in inches -- squared. Multiplying this result by 703 will give you your BMI. Your BMI is then classified into one of four categories.
Categories
A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is in the normal weight range. This category represents a weight for your height that is ideal. The overweight category corresponds to a BMI between 25 and 29.9. If you are in this category, you are at an increased risk for weight-related health problems. A BMI of 30 or more is classified as obese and indicates a greater risk for developing unhealthy conditions. A BMI less than 18.5 can also increase your risk for unwanted health conditions.
Reaching Your Ideal Weight
Losing weight can help your reach your ideal, healthy weight if your BMI is in the overweight or obese categories. To lose weight, you must control the amount of calories you eat and burn more calories through exercise, according to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Eating fewer calories than your body needs, and filling up on nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods, in addition to exercising for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week, is a recommended weight-loss strategy.
Considerations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that BMI is just one of many ways to determine your risk for weight-related conditions. In addition to knowing your BMI, measure your waist circumference and determine your body fat percentage to see if your weight is increasing your health risks. If you are concerned about your weight, visit with your doctor to develop a plan to help you reach your normal, ideal weight.
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