Why is it important to know my body mass index?
-
Dr. Michael Roizen answered:Your Body Mass Index is an important number to use when assessing how much fat you have and how much fat you have to lose. Watch this video to learn the importance of knowing your BMI.
Your Body Mass Index is an important number to use when assessing how much fat you have and how much fat you have to lose. Watch this video to learn the importance of knowing your BMI. More -
Weight Watchers® answered:Body mass index (BMI) is the recommended method for diagnosing overweight and obesity. It evaluates the relationship between body weight and height. While BMI is not a direct measure of excess body fat, it expresses the weight-height relationship and provides a more accurate measure than body weight alone.
There are many studies that show a link between BMI and the risk of several diseases as well as premature death. As BMI increases, so does the risk for:- diabetes
- cardiovascular disease
- stroke
- hypertension
- gallbladder disease
- osteoarthritis
- sleep apnea
- some cancers
The Weight Watchers Healthy Weight Ranges are based on BMI.
Weight Watchers can help you reach a healthy range. Learn more about Weight Watchers and how to join.
Body mass index (BMI) is the recommended method for diagnosing overweight and obesity. It evaluates the relationship between body weight and height. While BMI is not a direct measure of excess body fat, it expresses the weight-height relationship... More -
Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Body Mass Index (BMI) is one of the most accurate ways to determine when extra pounds translate into health risks. BMI is a measure of body fat based on your height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. Your BMI measures your height/weight ratio. Just divide your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters. Morbid obesity is defined as at least 100 pounds overweight, with a BMI greater than 40.
Helpful? 3 people found this helpfulBody Mass Index (BMI) is one of the most accurate ways to determine when extra pounds translate into health risks. BMI is a measure of body fat based on your height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. Your BMI measures your... More -
Dr. Mike Clark of Sharecare Fitness answered:BMI is a measure of your general health and is based on your height and weight ratio. If your BMI is high, you may have an increased risk of developing certain diseases including:- high blood pressure
- heart disease
- high cholesterol and blood lipids (LDL)
- Type 2 Diabetes
- sleep apnea
- osteoarthritis
- female infertility
- gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
- urinary stress incontinence
The following is a chart of BMI ranges: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/bmi_tbl.pdf
The following is a BMI calculator: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bmi-calculator/NU00597BMI is a measure of your general health and is based on your height and weight ratio. If your BMI is high, you may have an increased risk of developing certain diseases including: high blood pressure heart disease high cholesterol and... More -
Dr. Howard Sichel answered:The focus on BMI is important but can turn into a negative setting tone in a person's overall quest for god health. There are many factors that will affect a person's BMI but overall it is thier age and their overall weight . It's interseting to note that most people can honestly look in the mirror and determine whether or not they have to lose weight or if they are at a healthy weight. Be honest with yourself and do a personal body assessment to determine what your next steo has to be. If you have pounds to lose then your BMI isn't where it should be. If that is the case then get into a consistent movement/exercise program to get you on the right track.Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulThe focus on BMI is important but can turn into a negative setting tone in a person's overall quest for god health. There are many factors that will affect a person's BMI but overall it is thier age and their overall weight . It's interseting to... More -
Wendy Batts - Sharecare Fitness Expert of Sharecare Fitness answered:BMI is often used by the medical community and health agencies to assess one’s risk for weight related diseases. BMI can give you an idea of your individual risk by placing you in a particular weight category. It is not the only risk indication tool out there but it is easy to perform and can be a great start in assessing risk. The BMI weight categories are based on the relationship between body weight and disease.
It is difficult to improve what we cannot measure; and BMI an additional number that we can use to measure our progress.BMI is often used by the medical community and health agencies to assess one’s risk for weight related diseases. BMI can give you an idea of your individual risk by placing you in a particular weight category. It is not the only risk... More -
RealAge answered:BMI is used for risk assessment for the general population. Generally speaking, as a person's BMI increases, so does his or her risk of certain diseases. However, BMI does not distinguish between body fat and lean body mass and does not take into account location of body fat. For this reason, it's not an accurate measure of health for certain populations, such as people with higher than average muscle mass or people whose body composition may be skewed for other reasons.
Note: BMI is not an appropriate measure for athletes, children, pregnant women, or the elderly.
BMI is used for risk assessment for the general population. Generally speaking, as a person's BMI increases, so does his or her risk of certain diseases. However, BMI does not distinguish between body fat and lean body mass and does not take into... More
