
BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It is a calculation that takes into account your height and weight. The indicator is used as a screening tool or an indicator that measures Wildlife Control Melbourne FL.
Body Mass Index is known to be one of the most inexpensive procedures of calculating the weight category of a person.
It’s important that you know your BMI and what category you fall in such as underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese. A high number often indicates high body fat which raises the risk for certain chronic health issues.
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, which using a BMI under 18.5 is underweight. People with a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 are considered to have a healthy or normal weight.
Underweight = <18.5
Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
Overweight = 25-29.9
Obesity = BMI of 30 or higher
How is BMI Calculated?
For both adults and children, BMI is calculated the same way. The calculation is based on either the Imperial System of Measurement or the Metric System of Measurement. In the United States, we use the older Imperial System of Measurement where things are measured in feet, inches and pounds.
The two formulas are:
1. Imperial System of Measurement (pounds and inches):
Using the imperial system, BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in pounds (lbs) by your height in inches (in) squared and multiplying by a conversion factor of 703.
Formula: weight (pound ) / [height (in)]2 x 703
Example: Weight = 200 lbs, Height = 5 feet 5 inches (65 inches)
Calculation: [200 ÷ (65)2] x 703 = 33.27 BMI
2.
Using the metric system, BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms (kg) by your height in meters (m) squared. Because height is often measured in centimeters, divide height in centimeters by 100 to obtain height in meters.
Formula: weight (kg) / [height (m)]2
Example: Weight = 68 kg, Height = 165 cm (1.65 m)
Calculation: 68 ÷ (1.65)2 = 24.98 BMI
Body Mass Index Chart
There are lots of online tools which can be used to compute BMI easily and quickly. Among the more popular tools is called the BMI Chart or Body Mass Index Chart. Individuals that are more visually oriented find the BMI Chart easy to read and comprehend.
It helps to categorize people on the basis of the weight as underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obese. By way of instance, find your height along the left side of chart then locate your weight on top. Then slide your finger down until reach the BMI number at the intersection.
Why Does BMI Matter?
BMI has immense clinical significance and is a helpful measure of obesity and overweight. In general, having a high BMI increases the risk of developing a range of conditions linked with excess weight, including:
Chronic heart diseases
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure (hypertension)
High cholesterol levels
Gall bladder ailments
Stroke
Osteoporosis
Arthritis
Sleep apnea
Several types of cancer (breast, colon and prostate)
Conversely, having a BMI in the very low range could indicate that your risk of being malnourished. This means that your body may be deprived of vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients.
In addition to BMI, many other factors are also utilised to compute imminent health risks associated with obesity and higher body fat. Factors like blood sugar level, family history of diseases, smoking, age, sex, level of activity etc.
Researchers have linked obesity to heart diseases, cancer and type 2 diabetes. Obesity is no longer related to the age element. Today there are a high number of younger people and children that are diagnosed with overweight and obese.
Despite the fact that the exact reason or cause of diabetes is still a mystery, obesity is one factor that increases the chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Studies prove that people that are obese are 80 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
There’s also a greater chance of developing the disease when the individual has accumulated excess fat around the abdomen. Additionally it is known as abdominal obesity.
As a result of high abdominal fat, the cells release a particular type of chemical which are pro-inflammatory. These chemicals disrupt the function of cells that are responsive to insulin, which makes the body insulin resistant, that’s the principal symptom of diabetes mellitus.
Changes body metabolism
Excessive body fat is also known to change the total metabolism of the body. Obesity causes the adipose or fat tissues in the body to release fat molecules into the blood stream. This reduces insulin sensitivity of the human body.
Scientists also think that obesity can cause pre-diabetes, a condition that develops into diabetes in the later stage.
Without regular exercise and a healthy diet, obesity may cause several ailments aside from diabetes within a short period of time. However, the excellent news is that by lowering BMI and reducing body weight, you may also reduce the chance of developing type 2 diabetes and other related health difficulties.
It is also possible to delay the onset of diabetes by exercising and losing weight gradually.
High Body Mass Index is Connected to Heart Diseases
Regarded as one of the leading causes of death, heart diseases are directly linked to obesity. Among the most common types of heart disease occurs when the blood vessels which carry blood to the heart become narrow and obstructed.
This prevents the heart from receiving the bloodstream it requires for pumping. It can cause heart attacks, heart failure, abnormal heart rhythm etc. There are lots of types of heart diseases which occur mainly because of obesity.
Heart diseases tend to be linked to various other disorders like high blood pressure or hypertension, high blood sugar and high cholesterol levels. These ailments can eventually lead to heart ailments.
Weight loss and regular exercise can help lower the risk of heart ailments as it tends to reduce high blood pressure and glucose levels. A healthy and balanced diet is another way to decrease weight and lower the risk of developing heart diseases.
High Body Mass Index is Linked to Strokes
Excessive fat in the human body or the condition known as obesity causes hypertension. Stroke is largely caused due to elevated blood pressure. Strokes can be avoided by reducing body weight which in turn reduces blood pressure level. Therefore it is quite pertinent to keep blood pressure level under control.
There are a number of ways to prevent obesity and control your weight. Healthful eating and regular exercise are the two easy ways to reduce obesity and other related health issues. Have a balanced and healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean sources of protein like poultry, fish, nuts and soy.
Another method to promote weight loss is bariatric surgery which is thought of as very successful as it reduces numerous health risks associated with obesity.