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Body mass index (BMI) is measure of body fat based on height and weight.

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BMI - Body Mass Index and Body Fat

low fat diet - Body Mass Index What is Body Mass Index (BMI)? Body Mass Index or BMI is a tool  indicating weight status in adults. It is a measure of weight for height. For adults over 20 years old, BMI falls into one of these categories:

 

BMI

Weight Status

< 18.5

Underweight

18.5 – 24.9

Normal

25.0 – 29.9

Overweight

> 30.0  

Obese

 

Note: BMI for children is based on gender and age.

There is no exact weight for good health. Instead, there is a healthy weight range (Shown above). BMI correlates with body fat. The relationship between fatness and BMI differs with age and gender. For example, women are more likely to have a higher percent of body fat than men for the same BMI. On average, older people may have more body fat than younger adults with the same BMI. The BMI is the most valid indication of weight status. It measures your body fat percentage composition - how much and where the fat is stored.

BMI is only one of many factors used to predict risk for disease. BMI cannot be used to tell a person if he/she has a disease such as diabetes or cancer. It is important to remember that weight is only one factor that is related to disease.

 

low fat diet - BMI calculatorBMI Calculator

English Formula

Body Mass Index can be calculated using pounds and inches with this equation

BMI = (

            Weight in Pounds             
(Height in inches) x (Height in inches)

) x 703

For example, a person who weighs 250 pounds and is 6 feet 4 inches tall has a BMI of 30.43.

(

            250 lbs.            
(76 inches) x (76 inches)

) x 703 = 30.43

 

Metric Formula

Body Mass Index can also be calculated using kilograms and meters (or centimeters).

BMI =

            Weight in Kilograms             
(Height in Meters) x (Height in Meters)

 

 

or

 

BMI = (

            Weight in Kilograms             
(Height in centimeters) x (Height in centimeters)

) x 10,000

 

For example, a person who weighs 113.43 Kilograms and is 1.9304 Meters (193.04 centimeters) tall has a BMI of 30.43.

           113.43 Kg          
(1.9304 m) x (1.9304 m)

= 30.43

To Convert units:

1Kg ~ 2.2 lb

1M ~ 39.37 in

But, two persons can have the same BMI, but a different percent body fat. A person who has more body fat may have the same BMI as a bodybuilder with a large muscle mass and a low percent body fat because BMI is calculated using weight and height only.

Waist Circumference As A Means Of Determining Body Fat
Measurement of waist circumference is a very good measure of both central and total body fat. Waist circumference is measured around the narrowest point between ribs and hips when viewed from the front after exhaling. Waist circumference is a measure of abdominal fat and a good indicator of health status, even when the BMI calculation falls within the range classified as normal.A waist circumference of over 102cm/40in for men and over 88cm/35in for women suggests that there is a need to lose weight.

Waist To Hip Ratio (WHR)
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is the ratio of a person's waist circumference to hip circumference. Waist To Hip, like waist circumference, is a tool to assess distribution of body fat. A Waist To Hip of 0.90 or less is considered healthy for men and a ratio of 0.80 or less is considered a sign of good health for women. A waist to hip ratio of 1 or higher signals increased risk of ill health and an indicator that action must be taken to shed some body fat from tummy.
 

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