The BMI is a number derived by a formula, used to assess fitness levels and risk factors associated with being over-weight and obesity. Is it accurate?
What is BMI and is it effective in determining risk factors? The BMI stands for body mass index. It is supposed to help determine whether or not your risk factors for certain diseases are high or low. After calculating your BMI you will end up with a number that corresponds to a risk level. BMI is just one tool that can help determine risk factors, but I believe it should be used in conjunction with additional information to more accurately assess health and or risk factors.
If you read health and fitness literature you are certain to come across this term, I’d like to help you gain an understanding of BMI. First let’s look at how you would calculate your BMI:
- Take your height in inches and square it ( If you are 6 feet it would be 72 x 72 = 184)
- Divide your weight in pounds by result of 72 x 72 (if you weight 180 it would be 180/5184 = 0.034722)
- Multiply result of 180/5184 by 703 (.034722 x 703 = 24.4), your BMI is 24.4.
-18.5 or below underweight
-18.6 – 24.9 normal
-25 – 29.9 overweight
-30 and above obese
This number alone is only one of the factors you or a health professional should consider, although it can be a guide, other factors should be considered:
-Age
-Sex
-Health history
-Life-style
-Fitness/activity level
Waist circumference
Determining your BMI is a quick way to get general information that can be used to assist you in your fitness endeavors.
