The BMI is a tool that uses your body weight and your height measurements to classify your risk for obesity. The higher your BMI score, the higher your risk of developing health challenges related to being overweight or obese. To understand your risk, you must first understand how the scores are calculated and how they are categorized.
BMI Calculation
The first step in the BMI calculation is to get an accurate measurement of your height and weight. Your height should be measured in inches and your weight in pounds. You then take your weight, and multiply it by 703. This score is then divided by your height in inches. Once you have completed this step, you then divide by your height in inches again to get your BMI score. This score is then compared to the BMI categories to determine if you are at risk for being overweight or obese.
Risk Categories
There are five categories that your BMI score can fit into. These categories include underweight, healthy or normal, overweight, obese and morbidly obese. The higher your BMI score, the higher your risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis and some cancers. To find out which category you fit into, you simply compare your score with the ranges that are associated with each category. If you scored below 18.5, you are considered underweight. If you score above 18.5 and up to 24.9, you are in the healthy or ideal BMI range. A score of 25.0 and up to 29.9 is overweight, 30.0 to 39.9 is obese and a score over 40.0 is morbidly obese.
Weight Management
A high BMI score can indicate the your weight is at an unhealthy level, which can put a strain on your heart and lead to heart disease. Additional health problems associated with a high BMI can include sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, and varicose veins, according to MedlinePlus. To control your BMI and to decrease your risk, you must alter your diet and exercise habits. To lose weight you must burn more calories each day than you consume with the foods that you eat. To accomplish this, you should eat a balanced diet that consists of healthy fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and lean meats such as fish and poultry. At the same time, you must increase your activity to at least 30 minutes of physical exercise each day. A registered dietitian can be a great resource to help you create a meal plan and exercise plan to help you lose weight. Talk with your doctor about working with a dietitian if your BMI is above 30.
Considerations
The BMI calculation is an easy-to-perform obesity risk assessment. If your BMI is too high, you need to make changes now that can affect your health in the future. A healthy BMI score is important, but the BMI alone is not an accurate assessment of your health status. You should look at other factors in addition to your BMI such as blood pressure, blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, diet, exercise habits and stress to determine your overall health.
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