Though body mass index, or BMI, seems like an outdated method of establishing a person's weight status, it can help people determine whether or not they are at their ideal weight for their height. If an individual doesn't fall within a healthy range, additional factors can be used to establish where he falls within the spectrum. Once determined, a person is then able to take steps to right his weight, lowering the potential of serious health complications.
Ideal BMI
Regardless of sex and age, the ideal body mass index is anywhere between 18.5 and 24.9, which is considered "normal" for a person's height, maintains the National Institutes of Health. Numbers falling below or above this range are characterized as underweight, overweight, obese and morbidly obese.
Features
To arrive at these numbers, an equation is used based on your height in inches and your weight in pounds. Also referred to as the Quetelet equation, the formula is an estimation of body mass index, looking something like this: (weight x 703) / (height x height). It does not calculate body fat percentage, lean body mass or muscle mass. Other tests are needed to establish these factors.
Function
According to the Mayo Clinic, the main function behind body mass index is to help medical professionals determine if someone is healthy for his height and weight. But it is typically used as a tool to evaluate whether or not someone is overweight, obese or morbidly obese. BMI alone doesn't necessarily garner these diagnoses. As set in place by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, body mass index is often coupled with a person's waist circumference and any health complications to determine weight status.
Significance
The National Institutes of Health claim waist circumferences of over 35 inches in women and 40 inches in men coupled with a BMI of 25 or greater places an individual at a higher risk of developing diseases of the cardiovascular system. Weight loss is often advised as the first line of treatment.
Risk Factors
Higher body mass indexes coupled with other risk factors may also bring about the weight statuses of overweight, obese and morbidly obese, according to the National Institutes of Health. High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, high blood sugar, smoking, sedentary lifestyles and family history of heart disease are taken into consideration as well. Two or more of these risk factors in conjunction with a BMI of 25 or greater puts you at a greater risk of developing heart disease. Weight loss is often advised to treat the condition.
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