BMI: Do You Know Your Body Mass Index?

For some, the need to lose weight is visibly clear. Those whose body weight places them into the obese or morbidly obese categories are well aware they are carrying too many pounds. But how about the borderline overweight? Are those ten pounds over your ideal weight raising your risk of health complications? Are you just 'big-boned'? How do you decide if you really need to lose weight - and furthermore, how much you need to lose?
 
Doctors have a variety of ways to measure the need to lose weight. The most commonly used measure is the Body Mass Index (BMI). The BMI measures your weight relative to your height. The mathematical formula involves taking a person's weight in kilograms and dividing it by their height in meters squared (BMI=kg/m2). It generally is an accurate representation of muscle-to-fat ratio, though there are some limitations:

1. It may overestimate the BMI of an athletic person, because muscle is denser and weighs more than fat.
   
   
2. It may underestimate the BMI of an older person, or others who have low muscle mass.
   

There are many BMI calculators available online that will allow you to check your own BMI. The table for determining risk factors associated with obesity is:
 
Below 18.5 - Underweight
18.5 - 24.9 - Normal
25.0 - 29.9 - Overweight
30.0 and up - Obese
 
If your BMI is above 25.0, your doctor or other medical professional can advise you on the best weight loss plan for you. You should know that there are great benefits to losing even a moderate amount of weight. Some of those include:
 

• Lowering your risk of diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, a weight loss of as little as 10 pounds can decrease the chances of pre-diabetes developing into diabetes by 58%.
  
  
• Lower your risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association states that coronary problems are directly correlated to weight. By losing weight to bring your BMI to within normal ranges, you significantly lower your risk of developing heart problems.
  
  
• Reduce your risk of arthritis and pain from arthritis. A number of forms of arthritis are related to weight. Losing weight substantially decreases the strain that additional weight places you your knees, hips, back and ankles. 

Are you motivated to get started?

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