What Does Body Mass Index Do?
Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a calculated number that comes from a person’s height and weight. It is a pretty reliable gauge of body fat. It does not directly measure body fat, but studies show a direct relation of BMI with directly measuring body fat. It is an alternative way to measure body fat. It is a cheap and simple way to test for categories that can cause health issues.
It is used as a way to identify possible weight issues in adults. It is not an analytical method. A person can have an elevated BMI; but, a doctor needs to evaluate them for a possible health risk.
Using BMI is the best of all techniques for learning the amount of people that are overweight or obese. Since height and heaviness are all that is needed, inexpensive and effortless for doctors or the public to figure out. With BMI, a person can evaluate their heaviness to the rest of the population.
The BMI for children and adults is figured the same way. Using kilograms the formula is heaviness/height squared. For pounds and inches the formula is heaviness/height squared x 703.
Those under the age of 20 have sex and age to consider. Those over 20 have a set weight class that applies to all ages and both sexes.
30 or more means you are obese, 25. 0 to 29. 0 means overweight,’. 5 to 24. 9 means underweight when it comes to the BMI guidelines.
A connection between body and BMI does exist. The connection does differ by sex, race and age.
Remember, BMI is only one factor to consider for risk for disease. To check someone’s chances of becoming overweight or obesity related diseases, consider two other factors. The individual’s waist circumference is one factor. Other risk factors include diseases and conditions associated with obesity.
According to the BMI weight status categories, anyone with a BMI over 25 would be classified as overweight and anyone with a BMI over 30 would be classified as obese.
A lot of people with a score of 30 have more fat than others. Others can have a score but not have a lot of fat. This is because the weight factor of BMI includes fat and muscle. Remember that body fat is not directly measured with the BMI method.
Keep in mind that weight is only one thing to consider when thinking about disease related risks.
BMI ranges are based on the connection of body weight, disease and death. Overweight or obese people are at a greater risk for many health conditions and diseases.
When trying to find the BMI for children use the same method as is done for adults. The standards that are used are the only difference. The age or sex of an individual affects the BMI. Body fat can change with age. Boys are different than girls when it comes to body fat.
After the BMI is figured, the number is put on the CDC BMI that is used for age growth map to determine the percentile. They are the most widely used technique to find out the size and growth patterns of children in the United States. The percentile points to the corresponding point of the child’s BMI with other children of the same age and sex. The growth map shows the weight status categories used with children and teens.
Learn more about your body mass index. Stop by Greg White’s site where you can find an easy to use BMI calculator and many more interactive health tools.
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