BMI - BODY MASS INDEX

 

What has BMI got to do with getting a FLAT STOMACH and SIX PACK ABS?

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Body mass is a important factor to take into consideration if you want to have a sexy flat tummy or six pack abs.

What is the BMI?

Basically it is a tool whereby you can measure you weight against your height. However it is not always accurate, because it does not take in to account other factors  e.g. smoking, drinking, genetic history, muscle tone, body frames etc. It is a handy with other tools to measure the risk of certain diseases which includes diabetes and heart disease.

Important: Consult with a physician before making any nutritional decisions on the results of this calculator.

Is your weight affecting your health? Find out if your Body Mass Index puts you at risk

Calculate you Body Mass Index here

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, according to some estimates. 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 additional weight. For people who are overweight and also have health risks, they recommend trying to actively lose weight. Be sure to consult your doctor or other health professional before beginning any exercise or weight-loss program.

In June 1998, the federal government announced guidelines which create a new definition of a healthy weight -- a BMI of 24 or less. So now 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 for health problems.

Body Mass Index Formula in Pounds and Inches

The pounds/inches BMI formula, is:

Your Weight (in pounds) x 704.5 divided by Your Height (in inches) x Your Height (in inches)

Body Mass Index Formula in kilos

The Body Mass Index uses your body height and weight. It is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters. The BMI metric formula is:

- Your Weight (in kilos) divided by Your Height (in Meters) squared, OR
- Your Weight / (Your Height)2

WEIGHT	CLASS BMI (Body Mass Index)
Underweight	under 18.5
Normal	18.5 - 24.9
Overweight	25.0 - 29.9
Obese 1	above 30.0 - 34.9
Obese 2	above 35 - 39.9
Extreme Obesity	40+

Waist Circumference (WC)

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 WC, 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. The following chart should be helpful in determining the possible risks associated with your BMI and WC.

Classification of Overweight and Obesity by BMI, Waist Circumference, and Associated Disease Risks
			Disease Risk* Relative to Normal Weight and Waist Circumference
	BMI (kg/m2)	Obesity Class	Men 102 cm (40 in) or less Women 88 cm (35 in) or less	Men > 102 cm (40 in) Women > 88 cm (35 in)
Underweight	< 18.5		-	-
Normal	18.5 - 24.9		-	-
Overweight	25.0 - 29.9		Increased	High
Obesity	30.0 - 34.9	I	High	Very High
	35.0 - 39.9	II	Very High	Very High
Extreme Obesity	40.0 +	III	Extremely High	Extremely High

*     Disease risk for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and CVD.
+     Increased waist circumference can also be a marker for increased risk even in persons of normal weight.

SOURCE: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute www.caloriecontrol.org