All About Body Mass Index - Cooking Tips

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a tools used by health professionals, nutritionists, and some insurance companies to assess the risk of health problems related to weight and body size. Among the health problems associated with obesity are diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

It is widely accepted that as a person's body mass index increases above normal levels, the risk of health problems related to obesity increases as a result; however, a number of variables must be taken into account when determining the possible risk. Age, body shape, the ratio of fat to muscle, pregnancy, and an active or sedentary lifestyle are among the important considerations when making an accurate assessment of BMI and how it relates to overall health. The body mass index should be used only as a general guide for assessing possible health risks associated with obesity: It is by no means a definitive tool. Body mass index is, however, becoming increasingly utilized to gauge progress in weight management rather than conventional "ideal weight" charts.

The calculation for determining the body mass index is, as follows:

BMI of less than 18.5

A body mass index of less than 18.5 is below normal: People with a BMI below this level are considered underweight. A BMI slightly below 18.5 is not necessarily unhealthy unless the reason for it is because of malnutrition, an eating disorder, or other underlying or unknown health issues. A BMI of 16 or less is considered starvation: People with a BMI this low may need medical intervention to help increase their weight to a healthier level.

BMI between 18.5 to 24.99

A body mass index within this range is considered normal; however, it is important for people with a BMI near the upper limit of the normal range to be extra vigilant in following a healthy lifestyle to ensure that their BMI does not increase.

BMI between 25 to 29.99

People with a body mass index within this range are considered overweight. For a person with a BMI at the low end of this range, a few minor changes in diet and exercise may lower their BMI into the normal range. People at the high end of this range are at risk of passing over the threshold into obesity unless they make changes in their lifestyle. People with a BMI in the overweight range carry a higher risk of developing health problems than people with a BMI in the normal range.

BMI between 30 to 39.99

People with a body mass index within this range are considered obese. Significant changes in lifestyle may be necessary to reduce the risk of weight related health problems.

BMI of 40 and above

A body mass index above 40 indicates morbid obesity. People with a BMI this high live with an extreme risk of developing a number of severe health problems. Some studies have indicated that many morbidly obese people may be predisposed to extreme weight gain: genetics and brain chemistry imbalances may play a part in this. Whatever the cause, genetic or otherwise, life expectancy is greatly reduced in most cases.

• As stated before, many variables must be taken into account when using the body mass index to assess the health risk associated with being overweight. Body mass index is based solely on height and weight: It does not consider the ratio of muscle to fat. Individuals, such as body builders and athletes, who have a high degree of muscle mass, may also have a high BMI, but the actual risk to their health may be quite low because of their healthy lifestyle.
  
  
• For people leading a sedentary lifestyle and who have a high body mass index, lowering it by as little as two points can make a significant difference in their overall risk to develop health problems associated with obesity.
  
  
• The body mass index of people between the ages of two and twenty is calculated in the same manner as people over twenty, but the interpretation of the BMI number is different. It is best to consult with a physician for the correct interpretation of body mass index in these cases.
  
  
• BMI is a helpful guide for determining the general overall risk of developing health problems related to weight; however, it is by no means, a definitive result, since there are so many variables that affect the actual interpretation of the BMI score. It is always best to consult your physician to determine whether or not your weight is contributing to an increased risk in developing medical problems or is aggravating health problems that you may already have.