You have probably heard the term BMI used before when relating to a person’s weight, but what is BMI?
BMI stands for Body Mass Index and is an estimation of a person’s body fat based on their height and weight. To calculate your BMI you first need to find out your weight and height, then you can enter this into our handy BMI calculator on our homepage and it will calculate your BMI. If you want to know how the calculator works:
With the metric system, the formula for BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.
What does this number mean?
It is important to remember that this number is simply a guide and isn’t the only factor to be taken into account when determining a healthy weight or lifestyle.
Below 18.5 – Underweight
18.5 – 24.9 – Normal Weight
25.0 – 29.9 – Overweight
30.0 – 39.9 – Obese
40.0 and Above – Morbidly Obese
As we have mentioned, your BMI gives an approximation of a person’s body fat; however other factors such as waist measurement and lifestyle need to be taken into consideration when determining whether your weight will have a negative effect on your health. For example a person’s age, race or even gender can mean BMI can be interpreted differently. A person may be very muscular resulting in a higher BMI, or body fat may be underestimated in an older person that has lost muscle mass.
Now I understand it, why does it matter?
Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing various medical issues such as high blood pressure (your blood pressure rises as your body weight increases), heart disease, high blood cholesterol, diabetes and many more.
There are other factors that can increase your risk of related disease further such as not being physically active or being a smoker. If you are overweight it is important to be physically active, avoid smoking or lose weight in order to minimise the risk associated with your high BMI.
My BMI is in the Obese range, what should I do?
If your BMI is indicating that you are obese remember that there are also other important factors to be taken into account, and the best step to take would be to seek advice from your GP or health professional. They will be able to take into account other aspects such as your waistline and lifestyle before providing you with further advice on the best course of action for you to reach a healthy weight.
My BMI says I am obese, am I eligible for weight loss surgery?
Although BMI is a useful guide for individuals and medical professionals, there are still many more considerations to be taken into account before you would be considered eligible for weight loss surgery. Again the first step to take would be to consult your GP or health professional for advice; often lifestyle changes such as improved diet and increased physical activity can result in long-term weight loss, reducing your BMI.
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