If you are overweight, you may be wondering how much weight you must lose to achieve an ideal weight. Body mass index, or BMI, is one of the best ways to determine if you are in the ideal weight range. If you are outside of the ideal range, you should speak to your doctor about weight loss and to determine if you are at increased risk for other medical conditions.
Considerations
Body Mass Index is a screening tool used to indicate the amount of body fat in people. Potential weight problems can be determined based on the results of BMI. BMI is inexpensive and easy to use. You can calculate your BMI using your weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height in meters.
Results
Interpretation of BMI results has been determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results between 18.5 and 24.9 are optimal and indicate ideal weight for height. There are some variations in the correlation between BMI and body fat. Regardless of BMI, women tend to have more body fat than men. Older people also have more body fat than younger people. Also, athletes have a higher amount of muscle, which will increase BMI.
Importance
A body mass index in the optimal range indicates ideal weight. Having an ideal weight means that you are at decreased risk for weight-related medical problems. A BMI of greater than 25 puts you at increased risk for health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer.
Recommendation
If your weight is greater than the ideal range for BMI, reaching a healthy weight is important. A BMI greater than 25 with risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and inactivity also increases your risk of weight-related conditions. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute recommends achieving "energy balance" to maintain an ideal weight. To achieve energy balance, you should follow a diet low in fat and calories and increase your physical activity.
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