BMI, or body mass index, is a measurement used by health professionals to determine body fatness. BMI is determined using a calculation that takes into account a person's weight and height. While BMI does not directly measure body fat, it is considered a reliable measurement and can be used to screen people for potential weight-related health problems. In addition to exercise, nutrition plays a direct role in determining your BMI, since the foods you eat will play a large factor in the amount of calories, and fat, your body absorbs each day.
Identification
Identifying your BMI requires a simple formula. Divide your weight (in pounds) by your height (in inches) squared. Then multiply that number by 703. You'll also find BMI calculators online at a handful of health-related websites, such as MayoClinic.com. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, has determined that, for adults, a BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered normal. A BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 is considered overweight, while one over 30.0 is considered obese.
Considerations
Depending on where your BMI falls on the CDC chart, you might want to consider changes to your diet. Nutrition plays a large role in your BMI. If you fall into the "underweight," "overweight" or "obese" categories, dietary adjustments will be an important step. First, determine a realistic BMI goal; start with a small, reachable goal, to help you build momentum and avoid losing motivation by a large, long-term task. If you need to gain weight and bring up your BMI, consider adding to your daily calorie intake, but opt for healthy foods and keep the saturated fats to a minimum. If you need to lower your BMI, consider which unhealthy foods you can remove from your diet; replace them with healthy options that will supply your body with the vitamins and nutrients it needs.
Exercise
Proper nutrition is a big part of raising or lowering your BMI, but it is not the only factor. Consider adding an exercise routine, particularly if you're aiming to trim fat and drop your BMI number. If your BMI falls in the "overweight" or "obese" range, take on cardiovascular exercises, such as running, jogging, walking and bicycling. If your BMI places you in the "underweight" category, consider taking on a weightlifting program, since adding muscle mass will help you gain weight and help improve your appetite so you can, ultimately, add some body fat. Nutrition becomes even more important if you're exercising regularly, since eating healthy foods will help provide your body with the fuel it needs to exercise.
Inaccuracies
The BMI formula is not always entirely accurate for indicating body fatness. If you determine your BMI and are concerned by the results of the formula, talk to your doctor about a more accurate test for indicating body fat, such as underwater weighing. According to the CDC, the BMI formula presents problems, because women tend to have more body fat than men at the same BMI number; older people, on average, generally have more body fat than younger adults at the same BMI. Highly trained athletes might end up with a high BMI because of increased muscle mass, not because of increased body fatness.
Significance
Poor nutrition and a high BMI number can lead to a number of health problems, and it can increase the risk of certain diseases and health conditions. Among the potential health issues the CDC has identified for those with a high BMI are: Type 2 diabetes; hypertension; coronary heart disease; stroke; osteoarthritis; dyslipidemia; gallbladder disease; sleep apnea; respiratory problems; and some forms of cancer. As such, it is important to know your BMI and be mindful of the foods you consume.
Member Comments