Body mass index

What is BMI or Body Mass Index?
Body mass index refers to a measure based on a mathematica formula that looks at your weight relative to your height. Although it is not perfect, it is an easy practical tool to help you understand your risk of obesity. BMI may be a fairly reliable indicator of adiposity or fatness of the body for most average individuals as it acts as an indirect measure of body fat as has been shown in research studies comparing BMI to Dexa scan measured body fat percentage with reasonable correlation for most people. Except for those that are extremely athletic, BMI serves as a cheap and easy practical tool to measure percentage body fat without actually measuring it.

How is BMI used to help determine once risk?
BMI is employed as a first line test or a screening tool. The other measures to consider include skinfold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical activity, health and nutrition history,body composition analysis and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry or DXA scan, waist to hip ratio, blood tests to determine the risk of metabolic syndrome etc.

Metric system
With the system of weights and measures, the formula for BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters square. Since height is usually measured in centimeters, divide height in centimeters by one hundred to get height in meters.

Example: Weight = sixty eight kilogram, Height = a hundred sixty five cm (1.65 m) Calculation: sixty eight ÷ (1.65)2 = 24.98

Pounds and inches
Formula: weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703 Calculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) square and multiplying by a factor of 703. Example: Weight = one hundred fifty lbs, Height = 5\'5\" (65\") Calculation: [150 ÷ (65)2] x 703 = twenty four.96

Interpretation of BMI for adults
For adults twenty years previous and older, the following BMI categories are used.

Is BMI understood identical means for youngsters and youths because it is for adults? Although the BMI range is calculated identical means for youngsters and adults, the standards wont to interpret the that means of the BMI range for youngsters and youths are totally different from those used for adults. for youngsters and youths, BMI age- and sex-specific percentiles are used for 2 reasons: The amount of body fat changes with age. The amount of body fat differs between women and boys. Because of these factors, the interpretation of BMI is each age- and sex-specific for youngsters and youths.

http://www.passyworld.com/passyImagesThree/BMIchartAJPEG485x510.jpg

BMI categories

 * Body mass Index of below 18.5 is considered underweight
 * Body mass index of 18.5 – 24.9 is considered normal
 * Body mass index of 25.0 – 29.9 is considered overweight
 * Body mass index of 30.0 - 34.9 is considered mild degree of obesity
 * Body mass index of 35.0 - 39.9 is considered moderate degree of moderate obesity
 * Body mass index of 30.0 - 34.9 is considered severe or morbid obesity

Adult And Children Body Mass Index Calculators

 * Adult BMI Calculator CDC tool
 * Children and teen BMI Calculator CDC tool

Adult Body Mass Index Chart
Source: BRFSS survey data from CDC

Distribution of body weight by percentage distribution adults - 2012
'''Note: BMI values rounded to the nearest whole number. BMI categories based on CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) criteria.'''

Children BMI calculator
The formulas used in children are different as their weight is based on growth charts and do not correspond to adult BMI scale numbers. Use an online childhood BMI calculators below.
 * CDC childhood BMI calculator

Online BMI Calculators
While there are many BMI calculators, here are some BMI calculators you can use.


 * W8MD medical weight loss centers BMI calculator
 * CDC BMI calculator
 * NHLBI BMI calculator online
 * [http:/www.philadelphiamedicalweightloss.com Philadelphia BMI calculator]

Tips to lose weight?

 * Understand the causes of weight gain and proven measures to lose weight.

Also see Lose weight, Very low calorie diet, Insulin resistance and weight gain}causes of weight gain 8 steps to weight loss

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