Weight Loss Tips - How to calculate your own BMI?

There are many ways to determine if you’re at a healthy weight and BMI (Body Mass Index) calculation is one of the easiest, simplest and most frequently used methods for the same. Determining your BMI is not difficult at all and you can do it easily even within the comfort of your home. In its simplest meanings, BMI compares a person’s weight to their height.

BMI Formula
BMI uses a mathematical formula based on a person’s height and weight. BMI equals weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (BMI = kg/m2). When using pounds and inches, the formula needs to be altered slightly. Multiply your weight in pounds by 703. You can also calculate your own BMI accordingly.

For example, if you weigh 120 pounds and are 5 ft. 3 in. (63 in.) tall:

BMI = 120 x 703 = 84,360 = 21.3 

63 x 63 = 3,969

This is well within the healthy weight range.

Step by step guide to calculate your BMI

To calculate your own BMI while sitting within the comfort of your home, all you need is:

• A simple calculator
• Your already known readings for your own “height” and “weight”.

If you have these things ready then:

1. Enter your body weight in Kilograms
2. Press the ÷ symbol
3. Enter your body height in meters
4. Again press the ÷ symbol
5. Again enter your body height in meters
6. Press the “=” symbol

What does BMI tell you?

A BMI of 25 to 29.9 indicates a person is overweight.
A person with a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.

In short, for most adults, the BMI is a good way to get an idea of healthy weight ranges. But it is not always the final word in deciding if a person is overweight or obese. There are other things to think about when judging how much someone should weigh. A person with a high BMI should be evaluated by a health care provider, who might use other factors such as skin fold thickness (a measure of body fat), waist size, evaluations of diet and family health problems, and other tests to find out if a person's weight might pose a health risk. For example, you are at a higher risk if you carry most of your weight around the abdomen. If you are overweight, losing 5% to 10% of your current body weight at a rate of 2 to 4 lbs (1 to 2 kg) per month is a healthy goal.

For someone who weighs 200 lbs (90 kg), 5% to 10% is 10 to 20 lbs (4.5 to 9 kg).

It is important to remember that while BMI does not show the difference between excess fat and muscle, it is closely associated with measures of body fat. It also predicts the development of health problems related to excess weight. For these reasons, BMI is widely used by health care providers.

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BMI & Weight Loss - Know Your Weight To Calculate Your Mass

Introduction

Did you know that in the USA, alone, about 66 percent of adults are either overweight or obese? How do you know if you are among them? A simple measure called body mass index (BMI) provides useful estimates of overweight, obesity, and body fat distribution. BMI is used to broadly define different weight groups in adults 20 years old or older. The same groups apply to both men and women.

Understanding BMI

BMI is a number based on your weight and height. BMI measures your weight in relation to your height, and it is closely associated with measures of body fat. In general, the higher the number, the more body fat a person has. BMI is used by healthcare professionals to screen for overweight and obese individuals and to assess a patient’s health risk.

BMI is a way of checking body “fatness” for most people. It’s not absolutely accurate and there are many other things to consider, but your BMI basically helps you know whether you’re at a healthy weight. However, a person’s BMI score is not the only tool used by healthcare professionals to assess health risk. They also consider waist circumference, blood pressure, and cholesterol level, and blood sugar level, family history of disease, physical activity, and cigarette smoking when assessing a patient’s health risk.

BMI classification

As per BMI’s classification, your weight can fall into one of the following categories:

Underweight: BMI is less than 18.5
Normal weight: BMI is 18.5 to 24.9
Overweight: BMI is 25 to 29.9
Obese: BMI is 30 or more

These readings are very important with respect to your overall health risk and body weight.

For example,

If your BMI is above 25:

If you are overweight (BMI over 25) and physically inactive, you may develop:

• Cardiovascular (heart and blood circulation) disease
• Gall bladder disease
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Diabetes
• Osteoarthritis
• Certain types of cancer, such as colon and breast cancer

If your BMI is below 20:

If you are underweight (BMI less than 20), you may be malnourished and develop:

• Compromised immune function
• Respiratory disease
• Digestive disease
• Cancer
• Osteoporosis
• Increased risk of falls and fractures.

When to lose weight on the basis of BMI?

You should talk to your health care provider about losing weight if:

Your BMI is 30 or above

Your BMI is between 25 and 30 and you have two or more of the health problems listed above or / and a family history of heart disease or diabetes.

Conclusion

Talk to your doctor and have him or her evaluate your BMI, waist circumference, and other risk factors. Ask your doctor if you are at an increased risk for disease and if you should lose weight. Remember, even a small weight loss can help to lower your risk of developing certain diseases.

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