What Is Body Mass Index

You may have heard the term Body Mass Index (or BMI) in the world of fitness and weight loss programs, but what exactly does it mean? BMI is a tool used my many doctors, dieticians, athletic trainers, and other healthcare professionals to measure a person’s “fatness” or “thinness.” It is a simple mathematical formula, based on height and weight.

To calculate your BMI, simply divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared. Then, multiply that answer by 703. Here’s an example. Let’s say Jane weighs 140 pounds and she’s 5 feet 2 inches tall (62 inches). The calculation would be as follows: 140 / (62)2 x 703 = 25.60.

According to the National Institute of Health (NHI), a BMI that falls within the range of 18.5 and 24.9 signifies a healthy weight. A BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight, while a BMI over 30 is considered obese. If your BMI falls below the normal, healthy range, you may be too thin. This can also be a cause for concern.

Although BMI is an easy, no cost, widely accepted measurement tool, it is not meant for use as a diagnostic tool and is certainly not all-inclusive when it comes to the assessment of your health. Your physician or other healthcare provider should also take into account factors such as diet, heredity, exercise patterns, and body fat percentage when attempting to accurately evaluate your health.

The location of the majority of fatty tissue in your body also plays a significant role in addressing health risks. People who tend to gain weight mainly in their abdominal region, as opposed to those who gain mainly around their waist, may have a higher risk for weight-related health problems, such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol levels.

Another issue to address when measuring BMI is the fact that BMI doesn’t take into account factors such as gender. It also cannot distinguish between lean muscle mass and fat. This can cause definite discrepancies, putting the overall accuracy of the BMI formula into question.

For example, a physically fit, muscular person, such as a bodybuilder, may have a high BMI measurement even though they are not overweight and have a low to normal percentage of body fat. In contrast, the BMI measurement of someone with a sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits may fall into the normal range even though they may have a higher percentage of body fat and less lean muscle. Having a normal weight range does not mean that you are physically fit or have a low body fat percentage. As stated earlier, the only way to truly determine your state of health is to consult a healthcare professional who will administer the proper tests. BMI is a great tool, especially when use with other tools. It can give you an idea of where you’re at and where you need to be with your weight and overall health. However, no matter what your BMI may be, plenty of physical activity and a proper diet are two things that can lead you towards longevity.
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