Recall your physician or the nurse at the local clinic measuring your Body Mass Index or commonly known as the BMI? Yes? Not surprising, as today everyone would have had their Body Mass Index or BMI measured whenever they had a medical assessment done.
So what exactly is this Body Mass Index? Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height. BMI provides for both male and female adults a reliable indicator of body fatness or obesity and is used to screen for weight categories which may lead to health problems. BMI is measured by this simple formula:
Having known your BMI, you then make a comparison to give you an idea which weight category you fall into as compared to the general public. The standard weight status categories associated with BMI ranges for adults in the West as determined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) are shown in the following table.
BMI |
Health Risk |
Weight Status |
Below 18.5 |
Risk of nutritional deficiency |
Underweight |
18.5 - 24.9 |
Low Risk |
Normal |
25.0 - 29.9 |
Moderate Risk |
Overweight |
30.0 and above |
High Risk |
Obese |
For Asians, however, the new cut-off BMI index for obesity is 27.5 compared with the traditional WHO figure of 30. An Asian adult with a BMI of 23 or greater is now considered overweight and the ideal normal range is 18.5-22.9. The Singapore Health Authorities for example has revised its BMI table to the one shown below.
BMI |
Health Risk |
Weight Status |
Below 18.5 |
Risk of nutritional deficiency |
Underweight |
18.5 - 22.9 |
Low Risk |
Normal |
23.0 - 27.4 |
Moderate Risk |
Overweight |
27.5 and above |
High Risk |
Obese |
For the medical profession in general, the BMI would be able to tell them whether you are at risk of weight related health problems and you will be asked to undergo additional assessments. These assessments might include skinfold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical activity, family history, and other appropriate health screenings. Depending on the results, you may be advised to take the necessary measures or undergo treatment to reduce the risk of weight related problems such as heart disease or high blood pressure.
BMI is used differently for children. It is calculated the same way as for adults, but then compared to typical values for other children of the same age. Instead of set thresholds for underweight and overweight, then, the BMI percentile allows comparison with children of the same gender and age. This is usually done using a BMI-for-age growth charts (for either girls or boys) to obtain a percentile ranking.
Copyright Dec 2006.Wynn-Wright (Australia) Pty Ltd. All Rights reserved.
Disclaimer: The above article is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as diagnosis, treatment or prescription for any health condition. For more details, please seek professional medical advice.
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