Your body mass index, or BMI, can help determine if you are at a healthy weight. Having a low BMI can put you at risk for malnutrition, while a high BMI may increase your risk for obesity-related diseases. Calculating your BMI is a quick, cost-effective method of determining your risk for chronic illnesses.
BMI Calculation
Ideally, your BMI should fall between 18.5 and 24.9, but a BMI out of this range may increase your risk for health issues. A BMI below 18.5 means you are underweight, while a BMI above 24.9 puts you in the overweight category, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. You are considered obese if your BMI is above 30. Calculate your BMI by multiplying your weight in pounds by 703. Divide your answer by your height in inches, and divide that answer by your height in inches one more time. For example, if you are 5'2", or 62 inches, and weigh 110 lbs, multiply 110 by 703. Divide the answer, 77330, by 62 and divide that number by 62 again. Your BMI is 20.12, which is in the normal range.
Underweight
Having a BMI below 18.5 may be a concern for your physician. An underweight BMI can mean that your body is not absorbing nutrients properly or that you are not consuming enough calories. Either way, a low BMI may put you at risk for malnutrition, meaning that your body is not getting all of the nutrients it needs.
Overweight or Obese
If your BMI puts you in the overweight or obese range, you have a high body weight for your size and an increased risk for weight-related diseases. A BMI above 24.9 can put you at risk for high blood pressure, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. According to MayoClinic.com, about one-third of Americans have a BMI in the obese range. While your diet has the greatest impact on your BMI, your genetics, stress level and age can also play a role. Talk with your physician if you are concerned about your weight and let him know if you begin a weight loss regimen.
Other Considerations
Using BMI is a common way to determine your healthy weight, but it does have some flaws. If you have a high amount of muscle mass, your BMI will be high since muscle weighs more than fat. Having a lot of muscle mass does not mean your are overweight or obese. The BMI calculation does not work for children. Your pediatrician uses a different method to determine a healthy weight for your child. If you are over the age of 65, your BMI should fall between 25 and 27, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Having a slightly higher BMI at this age may reduce your risk for osteoporosis. Your body needs fat to help utilize vitamin D, which absorbs calcium. During your senior years you need higher amounts of vitamin D to keep your bones strong. Having a little extra body fat can help you metabolize vitamin D effectively.
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