BMI or we can call Body Mass Index is a calculative value based on a person’s height and weight. Only your weight is not enough to know if your weight is in the healthy weight category. For your reference, a tall, skinny person can weigh more than a short, plump person. However, your weight should be suitable for your height to be in healthy weight range. The ideal weight for men and women is different even for same height.
What is BMI?
BMI or Body Mass Index is an estimate of an individual’s weight and height, the result shows if the individual is in the range of healthy weight according to their height. It is designed in a way that calculates the weight by assessing tissue mass. And it is used to check if a person’s weight is suitable for their respected height.
The result calculated from the BMI is used to check if a person is overweight, normal weight, or underweight, depending on the result. As we check the result and see where it falls in the scale of BMI.
Whereas body mass index totally depends on age, gender, and geography. By the result we can find out if the individual is underweight, overweight, normal weight or fall into sever obesity category.
Although Body Mass Index is used as a screening tool which helps in getting an idea if a person is underweight or overweight. It is not the exact value of a person’s body fat distribution or muscle mass, but it is important for an individual to know their BMI. As a healthcare provider may use your BMI value to decide what medical dose suits you.
What is a BMI calculator?
A body mass calculator is a screening tool used to determine if your current weight is appropriate to your current height. The result will tell if you are underweight, overweight, or simply perfect weight with respect to your height.
BMI calculator helps with weight management, health monitoring, works as health assessment and help in setting fitness goals for future reference.
BMI calculator (Body mass Index Calculator) uses your height and weight as input values. Then it will perform the calculation for you, as a result, it gives you resultant value, which can be one under the following categories: underweight, overweight, obesity, sever obesity, or normal weight.
How to calculate BMI?
To calculate your BMI, you can follow these simple steps of the BMI formula. First, for the input, you will need your weight and height; after you get these values, you can follow these simple steps to calculate BMI:
Step 1: First measure your height; it can be in feet and inches or centimeterses. Then multiply the result by itself.
Step 2: Second, you must measure your weight in Kg and divide the result with the result obtained from step 1.
The following steps can be represented as:
BMI formula
BMI = Weight (Kg)/(Height)2(M)
How to use the BMI Calculator?
Using BMI calculator is easier comparatively using BMI formula. As you just must insert the data into allocated places and the rest of the work will be done by the BMI calculator itself.
Here are a few steps to follow while using BMI (Body mass index) Calculator:
Step 1: Enter age, gender, height, and weight in given units.
Step 2: After filling in all details, click calculate/compute BMI to find your BMI values below.
After you provide all the mentioned data, the calculator will show you the given values:
- Your BMI value
- BMI graph.
- Healthy BMI range.
- Healthy weight for the height.
- BMI prime.
Body Mass Index Range:
There are five basic ranges in which the BMI calculator results, as you can find your BMI value and compare that result with the given table to know in which category you come in:
| Weight status | BMI |
| Underweight | Below 18.5 |
| Normal weight | 18.5-24.9 |
| Overweight | 25-29.9 |
| Obesity | 30-35 |
| Severe obesity | Above 35 |
The importance of gender in Body mass index:
Body mass index formulas used for men and women remain the same, but the implication of the reading of BMI can be different due to Biological and physiological differences. Here are some points to keep in mind about the difference:
- Fat distribution: Fat distribution of men and women is different. As men are more likely to store fat near abdomen, which increase health risk like cardiovascular diseases, on the other hand women are more likely to store fat in under the skin near there hip and thigh area. This difference of fat distribution can have an impact on overall health. That is why it is important to select gender while checking BMI.
- Body composition: On an average women have less muscle mass compared to men. Whereas muscle is denser than fat because of which to different people with same height and weight can have different body composition. A male with heavier muscle and athlete body can have BMI value under overweight even he has low body fat. Same as women have higher body fat, which can affect there BMI count.
A closer look at the BMI chart:
- BMI chart for Men:
For men, BMI ranges higher than 25 can be the reason for health risks, such as diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic diseases.
Here is the table representation of the BMI chart for men:
| BMI value | Weight status |
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5-24.9 | Normal weight |
| 25-29.9 | overweight |
| 30-34.9 | obesity |
| Above 35 | Severe obesity |
- BMI chart for women:
High BMI in women can lead to serious health conditions, but there are chances that Hormonal factors or pregnancy can cause higher BMI.
Here is the table representation of the BMI chart for women:
| BMI value | Weight status |
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5-24.9 | Normal weight |
| 25-29.9 | Overweight |
| 30-34.9 | Obesity |
| Above 35 | Severe obesity |
Why to use BMI calculator:
Using BMI calculator helps people with weight management and their overall health, as it indicates a person’s body fat. Clear values can help people with their future fitness goals. BMI value helps your healthcare provider to get a clear idea on how much medical dose should be prescribed to you. And the BMI range also helps with getting easy Health insurance and makes you claim process easier.
What are the risk factors of being underweight?
Being underweight can be problematic for a person as it can cause many health-related issues like:
- Anemia
- Malnutrition
- Hormonal Imbalance
- Vitamin deficiency
- Less immunity
- Osteoporosis
What are the risk factors of being overweight?
Just as being underweight is a problem, being overweight is also a problem, as it can cause serious health issues as well as financial issues. To cover up that financial issue, there are many health insurances to support your mental health when you are at the edge of being overweight or obese. Here are some of the health risks caused by obesity:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart problems
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Varicose veins
- PCOD
- Sleep apnea
- Stress
- Breathing problem
- Chronic diseases
Conclusion:
Checking your BMI is important for every individual as it helps with weight management and helps in improving your overall health. A stressful life can cause many health-related issues and being overweight or underweight is one of them. If you want to follow a healthy lifestyle, then calculate your BMI to achieve future fitness goals. Finally, to maintain your health, it is crucial to be prepared for an unexpected health emergency. A health insurance policy can take this burden from your shoulders so that you can fully focus on your physical and mental health.