Body Mass Index – What Is It And Why Do We Care?

Body Mass IndexHave you ever heard about body mass index? It is a numerical integer that can be calculated based on your height and weight.

Body mass index or BMI can be designed in order that individuals of dissimilar heights must contain dissimilar body weights; there is no limitation on the weight of men and women.

Not all women must be of one weight and all men of another weight. The person who is six feet in height will possibly heavier than the one who is five feet tall.

To calculate body mass index:

  • In SI units: BMI = weight (kg)/height2 ; (m2)
  • In US units: BMI = 703* [weight (lb)/height2 (in2)]
  • In UK mixed units = 6.35* [weight (stone)/height2 (m2)]

Body mass index gives an accurate idea on an individual’s weight for his/her height. Use online BMI calculators to calculate your BMI level. It tells the distinction between being overweight and being obese.

You can make distinction between overweight and obese adults based on BMI level.  It ranges between 25 and 30. This means,

  • If BMI level is 24 or below, it indicates that you are not overweight.
  • If BMI level is 26, then you are considered as overweight.
  • If BMI level is 31, it indicates that you are obese.
  • If BMI level is 18.5 and below you are considered as underweight.

You need to consider an important thing while calculating your body mass index. BMI don’t consider your fat and muscle percentage.

You may already know the truth that, significantly muscles are greater in weight than fat. This means, you may be considered as overweight even your BMI is in the normal range.

Some times your body mass index is higher than what you thought, because you may never be considered yourself as an obese person. The reason behind being overweight is your muscle mass.

Having a well developed muscle structure with little amount of fat on it obviously result in high BMI and will fall under the overweight range.

Your body’s muscle and fat proportions are very important factors that can be taken into account while considering the overall health. But body mass index doesn’t consider this.

Your waist circumference is also an important factor to consider. So, a healthy body weight can be measured by fat, height and muscle percentage and also your waist measurement.

In order to know whether you have healthy weight or not, you should consider some other factors along with your body mass index.

Start with BMI, then calculate for fat and muscle percentage, then consider your waist size and finally consider your weight that was in your preceding year of high school.