Body Mass Index - What Shape are You
In?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is widely used to as a tool to determine
an individual's optimum body weight. It is essentially the
relationship between a person's weight and height. The simple
formula used to calculate it is:
BMI= (Weight in Kilograms) / (Height in meters squared)
This measure also known as the Quetelet Index was developed
around 1830 to 1850 and is attributed to a Belgian named Adolphe
Quetelet.
Generally, BMI of 20 to 25 is considered healthy. BMI of
less than 20 suggests an individual is underweight while 25
to 29 indicates an overweight person. 30 and above is a sign
of obesity.
BMI provides an estimation of fat content in a person's body.
Although research has confirmed a strong correlation between
fat content and BMI, results may vary from group to group.
For instance athletes may develop significantly higher muscle
mass. Muscle contributes more to overall weight than fat.
As a result their BMI may be higher than average despite a
lower fat content. Conversely, elderly people who have suffered
some deterioration of muscle mass may have lower BMI with
higher fat content.
Higher BMI's are linked with greater risk of disease and
death. Persons with a BMI of 25 to 29 have a higher risk of
coronary heart disease, strokes, type 2 diabetes, hypertension
(high blood pressure), sleep apnea and respiratory problems,
high LDL (bad) cholesterol and low HDL (good) cholesterol.
Some cancers such as endometrial, breast and colon cancers
have also been linked to being overweight. The risks of these
diseases and death are magnified many times over in the 30+
BMI - obese category.
However, BMI is just one of the predictors of health problems
and must always be used in conjunction with other indicators.
For instance body shape has also been shown to be a predictor
of the risk of disease. Fat concentrated around the abdominal
area (apple shaped body) is considered less healthy than a
similar mass of fat concentrated around the buttocks and hips
(pear shaped body). BMI also needs to be interpreted differently
for different groups such as children and pregnant and nursing
women.
Electrical impedance tests or fatfold measures are more accurate
means of physically measuring body fat than BMI. However,
they all involve a visit to the Doctor's office or gym. BMI
has the huge advantage of simplicity. Anyone can calculate
it in the comfort of their own home and it is extremely useful
in monitoring one's weight as long as one remembers its limitations.
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Author: Eric Choong
Please visit my website at: http://www.health-beauty-care.com
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