Body Mass Index (BMI) is a way to estimate the amount of body fat in a person's body. There are differences in how the results are read, depending upon age, height, and gender. There are many BMI calculators online that can convert weight and height to the required measurements and complete the math, rendering a person with instant results.
There are times when the BMI results will not be correct, however. If a person is a body builder or other high performance athlete, or if a woman is pregnant, the results will probably be higher than what they actually are. Likewise, in the elderly or those who have a disability that makes it difficult or impossible to walk, results are likely to be lower than a true reading. The same is true for people who have an eating disorder or who are very overweight.
How to Calculate BMI
BMI is the measure of the best weight for optimum health. In order to calculate BMI correctly, one must know his height (inches) and weight (pounds). Here is the formula for someone who weighs 120 pounds and is 5 feet tall:
Multiply: 60 inches x 60 inches = 3600
Divide: 120/3600 = 0.0333333
Multiply: 0.0333333 x 703 = 23.43
BMI = 23.43
What Does Your BMI Mean?
Knowing the BMI number is important because it tells whether or not a person is in a good range for optimal health. If the number is below a healthy range, a doctor might recommend that person gaining some weight. On the other hand, a person who is above the healthy range could be advised to lose weight, in order to fend off any adverse affects to being overweight or obese.
A common BMI chart is as follows. There are many different BMI charts to view both online and in a doctor's office, but they basically tell the same story about a person's overall health assessment.
- Below 18.5: Underweight
- 18.5-24.9: Healthy weight range
- 25-29.9: Overweight
- 30 and above: Obese
Why BMI Is Important?
While the link between becoming ill and being overweight is not well defined, there are many research studies that are ongoing. Statistically, however, there is a much greater chance that a person will develop certain diseases, if he is obese or even just overweight [Obesity and Related Illnesses, Free Online Health, 2009]. If the BMI is over 24.9, some of the common risks and diseases include:
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure
- Diabetes
- Gall Bladder Disease
- Colon and Breast Cancer
- Osteoarthritis
If underweight with a BMI of less than 18.5, one can be considered malnourished. This group may be at risk for the following diseases:
- Lower Immune Function
- Digestive Disease
- Respiratory Disease
- Cancer
- Osteoporosis
- Falls and Fractures
BMI and Children
A healthy BMI result is 20 to 25 for most adults. However, it is not a good way to measure children. When an adult stops growing and the BMI goes up, it is because of an increase of fat in the body. When a child grows, the amount of fat in his body will change, and usually his BMI will, too. It will generally go down while he is a preschooler and go up as he grows. There is a chart that can be used for children from ages 2 to 19. It is found on the Kids Health website. It not only calculates BMI, but places the result on a chart that shows percentiles. If a child is between the 5th and 85th percentile, he is considered to have a healthy weight.
One of the healthiest things a person can do to reduce the risk of certain diseases is to keep his BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. This can be done with a healthy combination of diet and exercise. With today’s fitness tools available, including health clubs, weight loss programs, and home gym equipment, it is much easier to find a form of exercise that suits anybody. Even something as little as walking 20 minutes a day will generate results in keeping a person healthy and fit.
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