It is worth knowing which ranges contain normal BMI results and what abnormal readings may indicate.
What Is the BMI and How Is It Calculated?
This is an index used to estimate the correct body weight. The test was developed in 1832, when a statistician observed that the taller a person is, the more their body weight increases. Therefore, in short, BMI shows the relationship between body weight and height. Although BMI is not considered particularly reliable, it is nevertheless the quickest way to make even a preliminary assessment of one’s health and the risks associated with abnormal results.
Many people wonder how to calculate their BMI themselves. The good news is that the result can be obtained using an exceptionally simple mathematical formula. Online calculators are also available; you simply enter the necessary data to receive the result within a few seconds.
It should be emphasized once again that the BMI result is only approximate and does not allow for a detailed analysis of one’s health. There are many other dietary indicators that take age, an individual body’s nutrient requirements, and chronic diseases into account. Nevertheless, it is worth checking your BMI regularly, if only to avoid the risks associated with being overweight.
Calculating BMI is very simple. You just divide body weight in kilograms by height in meters squared.
How Should You Interpret Your BMI Result?
If the BMI is below 18.5, the person is very likely underweight. Normal values, in turn, range from 18.5 to 24.9. Overweight can be diagnosed in patients whose BMI is higher than 25 and lower than 29.9.
The situation becomes serious when the BMI exceeds 30. This means that the patient suffers from first-degree obesity. Second-degree obesity, in turn, can be diagnosed in people whose BMI is above 35. Immediate action is required when a patient has third-degree obesity, as this is a life-threatening condition. The BMI is then above 40.
BMI, Age, Bone Mass and Muscle Mass
Although BMI is considered very useful, it does not take many important factors into account. Above all, the result does not reflect the aging process. Meanwhile, in older people, muscle and bone mass decrease significantly as the amount of body fat increases. Consequently, BMI results in older people are often interpreted incorrectly.
The same can happen with people who have a large amount of muscle tissue. Since muscle is much heavier than fat, the BMI may be significantly overestimated. As a result, well-built people with substantial muscle mass may be classified as overweight or obese. Despite the fact that the vast majority of them lead balanced, active lifestyles, their BMI may suggest a risk of diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
As you can see, BMI can be very useful, but its results should not be treated as definitive. Calculating the correct body weight is much more complicated and should take many different factors into account—factors that a BMI calculator simply does not consider.
Source: BMI – Medyk Online