What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation of your weight relative to your height that is used to assess if you are underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. BMI is considered to be a simple and accurate way to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems down the road. It is an estimate of body fat but has limitations, as it does not directly measure body fat.

How is BMI Calculated?

The formula for calculating BMI is weight divided by height squared, or BMI = kg/m2. A BMI calculator can be used to quickly determine one’s BMI. However, it is important to keep in mind that BMI is calculated differently depending on whether one is an adult or child.

What Are the Risks of Having an Unhealthy BMI?

Having an unhealthy BMI can lead to increased risk of developing certain conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer. Additionally, being overweight or obese can lead to psychological problems such as depression, low self-esteem, and body dissatisfaction.

Therefore, it is important to monitor your BMI on a regular basis and speak with your doctor if it is in an unhealthy range, as this can indicate that lifestyle changes are necessary to improve your health and reduce your risk of developing health problems associated with being overweight or obese.