Body Mass Index (BMI) is one of the most accurate ways to determine
when extra pounds translate into health risks. BMI is a measure which takes into account a person’s weight
and height to gauge total body fat in adults.
Someone with a BMI of 26 to 27 is about 20 percent overweight,
which is generally believed to carry moderate health risks. A BMI of 30 and higher is considered obese.
The higher the BMI, the greater the risk of developing additional health problems.
Heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure are all linked to being overweight.
A BMI of 30 and over increases the risk of death from any cause by 50 to 150 percent.
A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. Individuals who fall into the BMI range of 25 to 34.9,
and have a waist size of over 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women, are considered
to be at especially high risk.
According to health experts, people who are overweight but have no other health risk factors
(such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure) should eat healthier and exercise to keep from gaining weight.
For people who are overweight and also have health risks, they recommend trying to actively lose weight.
Make sure to consult your doctor or other health professional before beginning any exercise
or weight-loss program.
To use the table below, find the appropriate height in the left-hand column. Move across to a given weight.
The number at the top of the column is the BMI for that height and weight. Pounds have been rounded off.
SOURCE: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Both Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference (WC) can be useful measures
of determining obesity and increased risk for various diseases. According to the National Institutes of Health,
a high WC is associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension and cardiovascular disease when BMI is between 25 and 34.9.
A BMI greater than 25 is considered overweight and a BMI greater than 30 is considered obese.
WC can be useful for those people categorized as normal or overweight in terms of BMI.
For example, an athlete with increased muscle mass may have a BMI greater than 25 - making him
or her overweight on the BMI scale - but a WC measurement would most likely indicate that he or she is, in fact, not overweight. Changes in WC over time can indicated an increase or decrease in abdominal fat.
Increased abdominal fat is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
To determine your Waist Circumference, locate the upper hip bone and place a measuring tape
around the abdomen (ensuring that the tape measure is horizontal).
The tape measure should be snug but should not cause compressions on the skin.
Calorie Count is a useful tool for calorie intake calculation and diet planning. Calories do count and it's also important how efficiently your body burns them. Calorie Count also contains a diet planner with professional advice on food combining, detox, suggested daily calorie intake for men and women, calorie intake from beverages consumed, as well as some useful guidelines for speeding up the metabolism and making the most of it. People make the mistake of thinking they have to make drastic changes to lose weight and get in shape, but the secret is to make small changes and incorporate them into their lives permanently.
