Wellness Calculators
Introduction to the body mass index (BMI)
Body Mass Index (BMI) is widely used as an indicator of body fat content. Your weight alone is not sufficient to establish if you are in a healthy weight range. For example, a tall but slender person can weigh more than a short but plump individual. But the former may enjoy better health as long as their weight is suitable for their height. The ideal weight is also likely to differ for men and women of similar heights.
How then do you know whether you fall in the healthy weight range or not? Your BMI solves this confusion. It correlates your weight with your height and evaluates whether your weight is appropriate for your stature. You can use a BMI calculator to find out your BMI.
Although not an exact measurement of body fat percentage, in most cases, BMI is a reliable tool for establishing risk levels for illnesses, especially ailments related to excess body fat. Many healthcare professionals use BMI to determine effective doses for medicines. Often people with a higher BMI need higher doses. Hence, it is crucial to be aware of your BMI to ensure your overall wellness.
Why Use a BMI Calculator?
Using a BMI calculator is a convenient way to determine your BMI score quickly. Below are some key reasons to use this tool:
Health Monitoring
Fitness Goals
Weight Management
Health Assessment
How to calculate BMI
If you want to calculate your BMI, you have to find out your weight and height first. Once you know these values, you can arrive at the result by following the two steps mentioned below:
Multiply your height by itself (height X height).
Divide your weight by the answer you get in the first step.
The equations for calculating the BMI are as follows:
International System of Units (SI)
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ (height (m))²
Example:
For a 177 cm (1.77 m) individual weighing 75 kg
BMI = 75 ÷ (1.77 × 1.77) = 75 ÷ 3.13 = 23.96
Imperial System
BMI = weight (lb) ÷ (height (inches)) 2 × 703
Example:
For a 160-pound, 5'8" (68") individual weighing 75 kg
BMI = (160 ÷ 68 ÷ 68) × 703 = (160 ÷ 4624) × 703 = 24.3
BMI for Adults
For adults over the age of 20 years, BMI values are grouped into the following weight status categories:
| BMI | Weight Status |
|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5–24.9 | Normal weight |
| 25–29.9 | Overweight |
| 30–34.9 | Obese |
| 35 and above | Extremely Obese |
BMI for Children
In children, body fat content changes with age. It is also normal for teenage girls to have more body fat than boys. BMI calculation for children follows the same formula as adults. But the value is then plotted on standard gender-specific BMI-for-age percentile charts for children. It determines the child weight status compared to children of the same gender and age.
For example:
A 25th percentile BMI for a 6-year-old female child would indicate that the child weight is higher than 25% of girls aged 6.
What are the health risks related to being overweight?
Excess weight brings with it countless health complications, some of which can be fatal. A higher BMI than average (over 25) is associated with increased risks for diseases like:
Type 2 diabetes
Heart conditions
Higher levels of LDL cholesterol and lower count of HDL cholesterol in the blood, increasing chances of coronary artery diseases and heart attacks
High triglycerides
Stroke
High blood pressure
Gall bladder-related complications
Insulin resistance
Osteoarthritis or breakdown of joint cartilage leading to painful joints
Sleep apnea or intermittent breathing obstruction during sleep
Atherosclerosis or building up of cholesterol deposits (plaques) in blood vessels (arteries)
Skin health problems like skin tags, darkening of the skin
Breathing trouble
Hernia
Varicose veins
Cataract
Gout
Stress incontinence or urge to urinate frequently
Certain types of cancer (breast, colon, endometrial, gall bladder, kidney, liver)
Clinical depression and other mental health issues
What are the risks of being underweight?
Having a BMI below 18.5 is also fraught with health risks, such as the ones listed below:
Vitamin deficiencies
Anaemia (low red blood cell count and hence reduced capacity to carry oxygen)
Diminished immunity or the ability to ward off infections
Osteoporosis or brittle bones that break easily
Malnutrition
Developmental delays in children
Hormonal imbalances
Disruptions in women's menstrual cycle causing complications in conception
Conclusion
Due to the elevated stress of today's lifestyle and increased pollution levels, obesity and associated lifestyle diseases are rampant even among the youth. Thus, a BMI calculator in India is a useful tool as it can help you assess your health risks. A medical practitioner can help you understand your BMI's implications and guide you towards healthy life choices to prevent any complications.
However, apart from maintaining a healthy lifestyle, it is also crucial to stay prepared for unexpected health complications. Healthcare costs are skyrocketing, and the expenses for quality treatment can strain your financial resources. Fortunately, a health insurance policycan safeguard your savings by covering your healthcare expenses. Hence, along with adopting healthy habits, you can also consider investing in a comprehensive health insurance policy. This will secure your family against the financial repercussions of medical exigencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about using Jivo Care for your health data
Yes, BMI calculations are generally age and gender specific. This means you must know how to calculate BMI for men and women separately to understand the assessment in each case effectively. While the method of calculation remains the same, the results may be perceived differently for men and women.
BMI is generally not an ideal tool for assessing a woman’s weight during pregnancy. This is because pregnancy brings about natural changes in your weight and body distribution, which makes BMI less accurate. It is crucial for pregnant women to ask their healthcare providers to monitor their weight and health during this stage. Instead of using BMI, healthcare professionals may employ alternative methods to ensure more precise and relevant assessments.
Although the BMI calculation formula is quite accurate in determining your health status, it has certain limitations. One significant drawback of the calculator is that it cannot differentiate between muscle and fat. This can pose a concern for athletes and those with above-average muscle mass. The BMI calculator also fails to account for body fat distribution. It does not distinguish between muscle, excess fat or bone mass, nor does it offer insights into how fat is distributed among individuals. Hence, it is crucial to incorporate other health metrics for a more nuanced health assessment.
