The Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to assess how much fat is contained on the body relative to the height and weight of the individual. The BMI is an estimate used to evaluate the health of the person and determine if there is a risk factor for future health issues. High BMI values indicate obesity in an individual, so lifestyle changes are recommended to reduce the risk of conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
Benefits
The benefit of a BMI calculator is that it is an inexpensive way to estimate the amount of body fat on the individual. The BMI calculation can be done by the individual or at a doctor's office. The calculation is an estimate, but it can help gauge the health of the individual. There is no special device or expensive equipment required for the BMI. The only factors involved are height and weight, so patients are able to calculate their BMI using a calculator. BMI calculators are also available online.
Calculation
The BMI calculation is a small formula that factors a patient's weight in pounds with the height in inches. The formula for calculating the total BMI for a patient is the weight divided by the square of the height. This value is then multiplied by the conversion factor of 703. For instance, if the patient is 65 inches and 150 pounds, the formula is: (150 x 65^2) x 703 = 24.96.
Result Chart
The results of the BMI calculation are laid out in a chart that indicates whether a person is at a healthy weight. An individual with a BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight. The normal range on the BMI chart is 18.5 to 24.9. This is considered healthy for the average adult. A BMI over 25 is considered obese. If a physician calculates a patient's BMI and it falls in the obese range, he will consult with the patient and consider diet changes. For severe obesity, medication or surgery might be prescribed.
Considerations
BMI calculations do have some limitations. Men and women may have the same BMI, but women tend to have more fat on the body than men. This means a BMI result for a man may be healthy, but the woman may have more body fat even with the same BMI result. People such as bodybuilders weigh more because of muscle, so the BMI calculation is high, even though the fat percentage is low. Additionally, elderly people tend to have more fat on the body even at healthy levels.
Obesity
For people who are listed as obese, followup health tests may be done to detect any underlying diseases. Obese people may be put on medication like statins to control cholesterol levels if high blood pressure or heart disease is detected. Medical procedures like Lap-band surgery are available to help people lose weight. The procedure places a band around the stomach, causing the patient to feel full faster and eat less.
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