Physical fitness is a major goal in every individual’s life. No one wants to be sick, right?. And most often, it isn’t really about being ripped with abs and toned hips. Just being fit can go a long way in improving your overall physical health. That is why getting your Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated is very important.
What is a Body Mass Index(BMI)?
Your body mass index, or BMI, is a measurement of your weight to your height. BMI calculation is not an exact science but rather an approximation of a person’s adiposity (fat level). However, it’s still an important indicator for understanding your health. BMI calculations can vary widely depending on certain factors such as gender or age. Therefore, one should use these numbers only as indicators and not rely solely upon them for medical purposes.
There are also genetic variations that make some people seem thin despite carrying excess fat, which means their BMI might be inaccurate measurements of adiposity(fat level). It can also be misleading when used with children and teens because their weight may fluctuate due to growth spurts and hormonal changes, but BMI still provides an idea of their overall health status. And it is important when keeping track of your health progress.
Why you should calculate your BMI
The WHO defines obesity as having a BMI of 30 or higher, which is classified when compared to their ideal body mass index range for adults. Factors that contribute to an individual’s weight include height, age and sex.
The values vary based on your gender: men have a BMI under 26 while women fall in the 18-24 kg/m2 range. The healthy adult male has an ideal body mass index (BMI) of 22-26kg/m2. While females fall within 18–24 kg/m2 according to standards set by health authorities such as the World Health Organization (WHO).
Calculating your BMI can give you a better understanding of what your health looks like and how to improve it. It is an easy way to calculate if you are overweight, underweight, or in the ideal weight range for your age. If you’re looking to lose weight and need more information, calculating your BMI may be helpful. Below are a few more reasons why you should calculate your Body Mass Index;
- Body Mass Index is one of the most important indicators of health. You may not necessarily be sick; you may be underweight or just slightly overweight. But still, wouldn’t you want to know?
- The calculation of BMI is not an exact science but rather an approximation of a person’s adiposity (fat level). This way, You have just enough information to help you decide what is best for your health.
- As you age, your body might change shape due to childbirth, change in routine or just hormonal changes. This can make it hard for you to know what your current weight should be. Knowing your BMI keeps you in control. Then you get to decide what you want to do about your health.
- Knowing your Body Mass Index helps you foresee and avoid any potential disease caused by weight abnormality. For example, being overweight may, in the long run, cause severe heart conditions and, more recently, heart attacks which may lead to death. Other diseases include; cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and breathing complications.
How to calculate your BMI
BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by the square of your height (in meters). This calculation gives you a number that represents your BMI.
A BMI of 20 or below indicates you’re underweight, a BMI of 25 to 29 indicates that you’re overweight, and a BMI of 30 or above indicates that you’re obese.
There are a couple of different ways to calculate your BMI. Here is one method:
1. Multiply your weight in pounds by 703.
2. Divide that number by your height in inches to get the BMI.
3. Then, divide it again by itself to be more accurate and find out what your BMI category is:
If you’re underweight
What does a normal or healthy BMI mean?
A healthy BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9. For an individual with a BMI between 25 and 29, the risk of experiencing cardiovascular disease increases by 33 per cent for every two-point increase in their BMI. Many other methods can be used to calculate your BMI to get a more accurate result. However, one way is through calculation of body fat percentage, which can be calculated by multiplying body weight by 703 and dividing it by height squared. This will give you your total body fat percentage. If this number is below 10%, then you have normal or healthy levels of body fat percentage. If this number is greater than 12%, then you have high levels of obesity or risk for cardiovascular disease due to excess body fat.
What are the general categories and what it means in terms of health outcomes?
BMI is broken up into four categories, underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese. The general categories of BMI are:
Underweight – BMI less than 18.5
Normal weight – 18.5 to 24.9
Overweight – BMI of 25 to 29.9
Obese – BMI of 30 or more
BMI calculator in Singapore Vs BMI calculator in the western world
Studies carried out in Singapore in the year 2005 showed that many Asians, including Singaporeans, are at higher risk of developing heart-related diseases and diabetes than other populations. As a result, BMI cut-off figures were revised. To help prevent this from happening, we don’t focus on weight or being obese with our guidelines but instead emphasize health risks associated with excess body fat.
Conclusion
We are certain that by now, you see the big picture. You know how important it is for you to calculate your BMI. We assume that it is safe to say that your health is a priority to you and the best way to monitor your health is by knowing your BMI. It doesn’t end at knowing if your BMI is not healthy, then you must take measures to ensure that your physical health gets better. Do not fret; take it easy on yourself.
Your BMI results are meant to inform and encourage you and not to cause you anxiety. If your results are unhealthy, what you need to do is contact your doctor and get working on the perfect physical state for you. Relax and enjoy your growth journey to healthy fitness.
FAQ
1. What is the easiest formula for calculating BMI?
BMI (body mass index) is a measurement that is used to estimate the percentage of body fat based on the weight and height of an individual. Using the formula
kg/(m)2 = BMI
2. How accurate is BMI?
The accuracy of BMI can be quite low, but it does provide some insight into how much body fat someone has. It’s important to keep in mind that it’s not a definitive indicator of health, as other factors play into your level of health, such as genetics and exercise levels.
3. What should I do if my BMI is over 25?
Typically, people with a BMI greater than 25 are considered overweight or obese. However, this number can vary depending on the circumstances of the person, so you should consult your physician to determine what action they recommend.
Can I have a high BMI and be fit?
Other factors such as hormonal changes and genetic variation in humans can result in different physical states and so different BMI. Having a high BMI and being fit is a possibility depending on your particular condition. What you need to do is contact a physician with your BMI results to know what to do next.
What are the health implications of being underweight?
Being underweight has just as many negative implications as being overweight. The former can result in health complications such as malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies and even anaemia. We advise you to consult medical personnel for professional help.
How often should I measure my BMI?
You can calculate your BMI every month or two. This enables you to track your progress, especially if you are on any form of diet.