In diagnostics, Body Mass Index (BMI) is an essential value for correlating a person’s height and weight with medical health risk. These assessments are quite important in today’s world, especially considering the steadily growing number of overweight people, and experts worldwide stating that these high values do not appear to be slowing down. This fact is becoming more and more alarming and gives us the forewarning that mankind’s future is at stake!
Body Mass Index values have to be calculated regularly and always considered when managing one’s health.
BMI is widely used in health studies, because it is the only body fat index available today that can convey the risks of disease or death associated with uncontrollable weight increase.
A lot of health problems can be avoided if a person’s body mass remains in the ‘normal’ or “acceptable” range. With all of today’s available technology, there is no longer an excuse not to monitor one’s body mass. For adults, the guidelines are relatively straightforward, as the BMI of any person who is not pregnant, or devastated by certain illnesses, will fall into one of these categories endorsed by authorities:
Below 18.5 means you are underweight
25.0 - 29.9 shows you are overweight
Knowing that BMI = weight in kg/ (height in meter)2 all anyone needs to do to determine one’s Body Mass Index, is to use rudimentary math skills and a calculator. If that is inconvenient, one can buy gadgets that will automatically do the calculations, or one can easily locate simple BMI calculator programs online. All they require is weight and height and in seconds BMI result will be revealed. For more accurate results they may also ask for gender and age.
In most cases, excess body fat amplifies the risks, and long term side effect, of many diseases. Indeed, medical experts have long determined that being overweight, or obese, can increase the risks for a wide range of health problems, including stroke, cardiovascular disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), osteoarthritis, respiratory problems, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even cancer.
On the other hand, being underweight can also cause severe health concerns. A low body mass can lower a body's immune system, affecting a woman’s menstrual cycle, bone loss, malnutrition or other grave conditions. A healthy way to add kilojoules, or calories, and increase energy levels and weight, is to take in more complex carbohydrates and proteins.
Like every rule of thumb, there are a few exceptions. Body builders often have a BMI above 25, or even 30. In that case, an elevated Body Mass Index may reflect the fact that body builders sometimes have more muscle mass, without a surplus of fat.
BMI is different for adults than it is for children. Overweight children need to be monitored and have regular doctor visits scheduled. Diets may not always be recommended, because children still grow and need essential nutritional values to stay healthy.
Find out what your BMI - Body Mass Index is using this handy
BMI calculator .
Aiming for a healthy weight is the best way to avoid unnecessary medical complications. Lowering one’s BMI can, without doubt, be accomplished by eating healthier and/or less, drinking lots of water, and increasing physical exercise. Once a body starts burning more calories than what it consumes, the Body Mass Index should go down in no time.
