By determining what your body mass index is, you will have a sign of how much body fat you may have. But BMI does not directly measure body fat, instead you are given an approximation. That number can show whether you are underweight, overweight, or fall into a normal range.
To figure out one person’s body mass index, you divide the person’s weight by the square of their height. Using pounds for weight and feet for height, the resulting BMI will put that person into a range of scores. A BMI below 18.5 is underweight, 18.5-24.9 is normal, 25-29.9 is overweight, and 30 and above is labeled obese. This means that a man that is 6 feet tall and weighs 175 pounds has a BMI in the normal range at 23.7.
Clearly, though not all people are the same shape, meaning BMI is not a perfect tool to gauge health. For instance, athletes may weigh more than non-athletes of the same height, but will be in better physical condition. That is because muscle is denser than fat, which leads to a higher weight. Gender also plays a role in the accuracy of BMI, as women store more body fat than men.
Even though calculating one’s BMI will not give a crystal clear picture of one’s health, it can suggest that you could develop some serious health conditions. For instance, higher BMI is related to heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, osteoarthritis, diabetes, stroke, gallstones, and even certain cancers.
Conversely, lower BMI can cause health problems. If a person has a lack of sufficient body fat, they could suffer from bone loss, decreased immune function, heart problems, or iron deficiency anemia. In either scenario, if your BMI falls into a range above or below normal, you may wish to consult with your doctor or a dietician.
Measuring one’s BMI is a convenient tool, but there are some alternatives that may be better indicators of one’s health. One can measure their waist circumference or waist-to-hip ratio themselves at home. Or, a person can use their body fat percentage, or even run lab tests on blood or other vital signs.
While there is a fair amount of research to indicate that falling in the normal range of BMI can show a lesser risk of chronic diseases, it is not a perfect tool for everybody. For more information on BMI and the other ways to better improve your health, call Christian Healthcare Centers today at (616) 226-2669.
