Your BMI and BMR are important numbers that can help you better control your weight and understand health risks associated with how much you weigh. You can calculate these numbers at home either by using specific equations or by using a BMI or BMR calculator to do the math for you. Understanding your BMI and BMR can help you plan a diet and fitness regimen that keeps you healthy and feeling your best.
BMI
BMI stands for body mass index, which is a measure of your overall fatness as calculated from your weight and height. While not as accurate as other methods to screen for fatness, such as underwater weighing, BMI does serve as an effective screening tool for potential weight problems. For adults, BMI is calculated by the formula (weight in pounds / [height in inches x height in inches]) x 703. A BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight, while BMI over 25.0 is considered overweight.
BMR
The BMR, or basal metabolic rate, is the rate at which your body burns calories. You can use your BMR to determine the amount of calories you need to consume each day. The formula used to calculate BMR for women is 655 + (4.35 x weight in pounds) + (4.7 x height in inches) - (4.7 x age in years).
For men, the formula is 66 + (6.23 x weight in pounds) + (12.7 x height in inches) - (6.8 x age in year). To find your daily calorie needs, multiply your BMR by 1.2 if you are sedentary, by 1.375 if you participate in light activity 1 to 3 days a week, by 1.55 if you participate in moderate exercise 3 to 5 days a week, 1.75 if you participate in strenuous activity 6 or 7 days a week, or by 1.9 if you get get strenuous physical activity more than once a day.
Significance
A high BMI can signal potential health problems related to overweight and obesity. People with a BMI over 26 are at higher risk for hypertension. A BMI over 27 increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, gallstones and heart disease. Because your BMR tells you how many calories you need to consume, if you take in more than that number, you will gain weight and raise your BMI. Consuming fewer calories than your BMR will help you lose weight. You can also change your BMR by exercising more often. For better health and fitness, you should try to decrease your BMI and increase your BMR.
Considerations
While BMI and BMR can give you a good idea of your overall fitness, they aren't the only important numbers you need to pay attention to. You should have regular checkups to examine your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose levels, since these may indicate potential problems even if your BMI is perfect and you are eating exactly the right amount of food for your BMR.
Member Comments