Needed to read PDF's

Adobe Reader |
Body Mass Index
(BMI)
Overview
Body mass index (BMI) is a tool that healthcare providers use to
estimate the amount of body fat by using your height and weight
measurements. It can help assess risk factors for certain health
conditions. The BMI isn’t always an accurate representation of body
fatness.
What is body mass index (BMI)?
Body mass index (BMI) is a medical screening tool that measures the
ratio of your height to your weight to estimate the amount of body
fat you have. Healthcare providers calculate BMI by using weight in
kilograms (kg) divided by the square of height in meters (m2).
In most people, BMI correlates to body fat — the higher the number, the
more body fat you may have — but it’s
not accurate in some cases. BMI alone doesn’t diagnose health.
Healthcare providers use BMI and other tools and tests to assess
someone’s health status and risks.
High body fat may lead to heart disease, stroke and
Type 2 diabetes. Low body fat may be related to malnutrition. Just the
right amount of body fat helps Vitamins and minerals get into your body.
It also provides a source of energy for your body, helps maintain body
temperature and protects your organs.
You shouldn’t use the standard BMI chart to evaluate
a child’s or teenager’s weight. Talk to your child’s healthcare
provider about the optimum weight range for their age and height.

Click on picture for a full screen
view
What is BMI used for?
Healthcare providers use BMI to help diagnose weight types and as a
screening tool for certain health conditions.
Diagnosing weight types with BMI
Body mass index scores are broken down into the following
categories:
-
Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
-
Normal weight: BMI of 18.5 to 24.9
-
Overweight: BMI of 25 to 29.9
-
Obesity: BMI of 30 or higher
Obesity is sometimes broken down into additional categories:
-
Class 1 (mild obesity): BMI
30 to 34.9
-
Class 2 (moderate obesity): BMI 35 to 39.9
-
Class 3 (severe obesity): BMI of 40 or higher
BMI isn’t the only tool providers use to classify weight types. Other
tools include:
- Measuring waist circumference
- Measuring skin thickness using skinfold calipers in certain areas of
your body, such as the back of your upper arms and under your
shoulder blades
- DEXA scan and air displacement plethysmography (ADP) — these are
used less often
Screening for health risks with BMI
If you have a BMI less than 18.5 (underweight), you may be at a higher
risk for developing the following conditions:
- Malnutrition
- Anemia
- Weakened immune
system, which could lead to more frequent infections and
illnesses
- Osteoporosis
- Infertility
If you have underweight, your healthcare provider will likely order
certain blood tests and other tests to check your overall health and to
see if you’re malnourished.
In general, the higher your BMI, the higher your risk for the following
conditions:
It’s important to remember that you could have any of the above health
conditions without having a high BMI. Similarly, you could have a high
BMI without having any of these conditions. Genetics and other factors,
such as smoking cigarettes,
play a large role in the development of these conditions.
If your BMI reveals you may have obesity,
your provider will likely order certain blood tests to check your
general health, such as a comprehensive
metabolic panel and lipid
panel.
How do I calculate my BMI?
You can calculate BMI yourself with these steps:
- Multiply your weight in pounds by
703.
- Divide that answer by your height in inches (there are 12 inches in
1 foot).
- Divide that answer by your height in inches again.
For example, a person who weighs 180 lbs. and is 5 feet and 5 inches
tall (65 inches total) would calculate their BMI in the following way:
-
180 x 703 = 126,540
-
126,540 / 65 = 1,946.769
-
1,946.769 / 65 = 29.95
Their BMI would be
29.95.
Purchase a scale to weigh yourself here at
iHealth Labs Inc
What is a healthy BMI?
The optimum range for a healthy BMI is considered to be 18.5 to 24.9.
It’s important to remember that body fatness isn’t the only determiner
of overall health. Several other factors, such as genetics, activity
level, smoking cigarettes or using tobacco, drinking alcohol and mental
health conditions all affect your overall health and your likelihood of
developing certain medical conditions.
BMI for Children and Teens
Weight Status Category |
Percentile Range |
Underweight |
Less than 5th percentile |
Normal or healthy weight |
5th percentile to less than 85th percentile |
Overweight |
85th to less than 95th percentile |
Obesity |
95th percentile or greater |
Severe obesity |
120% of the 95th percentile |
BMI of Adults Ages 20 and Older
BMI |
Classification |
18.5 to 24.9 |
Normal, or healthy, weight |
25 to 29.9 |
Overweight |
30+ |
Obesity (including severe obesity) |
40+ |
Severe obesity |
What are the limitations of BMI?
The standard BMI chart has limitations for various reasons. Because of
this, it’s important to not put too much emphasis on your BMI.
Even though the BMI chart can be inaccurate for certain people,
healthcare providers still use it because it’s the quickest tool for
assessing a person’s estimated body fat amount.
Limitations of using BMI to help diagnose weight types
The standard BMI has limitations in regards to diagnosing weight types,
including:
- BMI doesn’t differentiate between lean body mass (the weight of
everything in your body except fat) and fat mass. Because of this, a
person can have a high BMI (by being muscular) but still have a very
low fat mass and vice versa.
- The same BMI chart is used for males and
females even though adult females typically have more body fat than
adult males.
- The BMI chart hasn’t been adjusted for the increasing average adult
height over the years.
You shouldn’t use the standard BMI chart to assess the amount of body
fat of the following populations:
- Athletes and bodybuilders
- Children and teenagers
- Anyone who’s pregnant
- Anyone over the age of 65
- People who have muscle
atrophy (wasting) due to medical conditions
Limitations of using BMI as a screening tool for health conditions
The BMI as a screening tool for assessing the risk of certain health
conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes and
heart disease, has some
limitations, including:
- The BMI doesn’t measure the location or distribution of body fat.
This is an issue because excess fat accumulation in certain areas of
your body, such as in your belly (abdomen), is associated with a
higher risk of health conditions than excess fat accumulation in
other areas of your body, such as in your thighs.
- The relationship between BMI and rate of death often doesn’t account
for such factors as family history of diabetes, high blood pressure,
cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol (dyslipidemia), familial
longevity (average lifespan) or family history of cancer.
BMI and Weight Loss Goals
When setting weight
loss goals, start with your Body Mass Index (BMI). Your BMI shows
if your weight is healthy for your height. Knowing your BMI helps you
set realistic goals for losing weight.
For safe
weight loss, aim to lose weight slowly. Losing too much weight too
fast is hard to keep up and can be unhealthy. Instead, make small,
steady changes to your diet and lifestyle for sustainable
weight loss.
Here are some guidelines for setting weight
loss goals based on BMI:
Current BMI |
Recommended Weight Loss Goal |
25-29.9 (Overweight) |
5-10% of current body weight |
30-34.9 (Obese Class I) |
10-15% of current body weight |
35-39.9 (Obese Class II) |
15-20% of current body weight |
40+ (Obese Class III) |
20-30% of current body weight |
Remember, sustainable
weight loss comes from a balanced
diet, regular
exercise, and healthy habits. Talk to a healthcare professional or registered
dietitian to create a plan that fits your needs. With patience and
persistence, you can reach your BMI
targets and improve your health.
Setting realistic weight loss targets based on BMI
When setting weight loss targets, be realistic and base them on your
BMI. For those in the overweight category, aiming for a 5-10% weight
loss is a good start. Those with higher BMI ranges may need to aim for
more. But always aim for slow and steady weight loss to keep it up over
time.
Safe and sustainable weight loss approaches
To lose weight safely and sustainably, make small changes to your diet
and exercise. Eat more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole
grains. Cut down on processed and high-calorie foods. Aim for 150
minutes of moderate exercise a week, and choose activities you enjoy. By
doing these things, you can reach your weight
loss goals while staying healthy.
Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity
Adults
Age-adjusted percentage of US adults with overweight, obesity,
and severe obesity by sex, 2017–2018 NHANES Data
|
All
(Men and Women) |
Men |
Women |
Overweight |
30.7 |
34.1 |
27.5 |
Obesity (including severe obesity) |
42.4 |
43.0 |
41.9 |
Severe obesity |
9.2 |
6.9 |
11.5 |
As shown in the above table
- Nearly 1 in 3 adults (30.7%) are overweight.
- More than 1 in 3 men (34.1%) and more than 1 in 4 women
(27.5%) are overweight.
- More than 2 in 5 adults (42.4%) have obesity (including
severe obesity).
- About 1 in 11 adults (9.2%) have severe obesity.
- The percentage of men who are overweight (34.1%) is
higher than the percentage of women who are overweight
(27.5%).
- The percentage of women who have severe obesity (11.5%)
is higher than the percentage of men who have severe
obesity (6.9%).
Seeking Professional Guidance for BMI Concerns
If you’re worried about your BMI or finding it hard to keep a
healthy weight, getting help is key. A healthcare
provider can look at your health, consider your past health
issues, and give advice just for you. They can help you set
goals and create a safe plan to reach and keep a healthy BMI.
Also, talking to a registered
dietitian is very helpful. They know a lot about food and
can give you tips on eating better and making lasting changes.
They can make a meal plan that fits your likes, any food limits
you have, and what your body needs to work well.
Remember, getting to and staying at a healthy weight is a long
journey. It needs patience, dedication, and support. Don’t be
afraid to ask for help from experts. With the right advice and a
plan made just for you, you can manage your weight, improve your
BMI, and boost your health and happiness.
FAQ's
Q: What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?
A: BMI is a way to measure body fat. It uses your weight and
height. It helps figure out if your weight is healthy or not
Q: How is BMI calculated?
A: To find your BMI, divide your weight in kilograms
by your height in meters squared (kg/m²). You can
use online tools or apps to do this easily.
Q: What are the different BMI categories?
A: BMI categories are underweight (BMI below 18.5),
normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9), overweight (BMI
25.0-29.9), and obese (BMI 30.0 and above). Each
category has different health risks.
Q: Is BMI an accurate indicator of body fat?
A: BMI is useful but not perfect. It doesn’t measure
body fat directly. It also doesn’t consider muscle
mass, age, or sex. So, it’s best to use BMI with
other health checks.
Q: Can muscle mass affect BMI results?
A: Yes, muscle mass can affect BMI. Athletes with a
lot of muscle might have a higher BMI but less body
fat. In these cases, BMI might not show their true
health.
Q: How can I maintain a healthy BMI?
A: To keep a healthy BMI, eat well and exercise
regularly. Eat foods that are good for you and
control your portions. Do a mix of cardio and
strength training. Aim for slow, steady weight
changes, not quick ones.
Q: What is a realistic weight loss goal based on BMI?
A: A good weight loss goal is 5-10% of your starting
weight in 6 months. That’s 1-2 pounds a week. Talk
to a doctor to set a goal that’s right for you.
Q: How is BMI used differently in children and teens?
A: BMI for kids and teens is the same as for adults,
but it’s interpreted differently. Instead of fixed
categories, BMI
percentiles are used. This helps track growth
and spot weight issues early.
Q: When should I seek professional help for BMI concerns?
A: If you’re worried about your BMI or can’t reach a
healthy weight, see a doctor or dietitian. They can
help with a plan that’s right for you and check for
any health problems.
One Final Note..
Body mass index (BMI) is a quick tool that healthcare providers can
use to assess your risk for certain health conditions. However, BMI
isn’t always an accurate measurement of body fatness and isn’t the
sole determiner of your general health. If you have any questions or
concerns about your weight or your risk for developing certain
health conditions, such as heart disease, talk to your healthcare
provider. They’re available to help.
|