Body mass index - An indicator developed by a scientist from Belgium Adolf Ketle. You can calculate your body mass index using the WHO table. Being overweight prevents a person from living a healthy lifestyle and enjoying it. To prevent obesity, you need to monitor normal BMI.
Why do you need to know BMI?
Body Mass Index (BMI) - This is an indicator by which the level of compliance of a person’s growth with his weight is estimated. The index is used to measure a person’s weight - whether it’s normal, inadequate or overweight.
Adolf Kötle worked on social physics for 20 years (from 1830 to 1850). During this period of time, he developed a formula for calculating the normal weight of a person. The BMI formula became known only after the death of the scientist. The first to use it was nutritionist Ankel Keys. He published his first article on good nutrition, net of BMI, in 1972.
BMI is used by doctors to prescribe a diet, in conjunction with which the disease can be cured. The formula is popular among people who want to lose extra pounds and look slimmer.
Formula for calculating body mass index
It is not necessary to go to a nutritionist to calculate BMI. To get the value, it is enough to square the growth indicators (in meters). Then the weight must be divided by the result to get a body mass index.
BMI = weight (kg): (height (m)) 2.
Given these indicators, nutritionists came up with a basic table that helps determine the BMI and its rate for a woman. Before calculating the body mass index by a certain formula, you need to consider that it is not suitable for everyone.
for example, the calculation does not need to be done for people with growth below 155 cm and above 174 cm. Otherwise, it will be necessary to subtract or add 10 percent to the obtained indicator. Also, people who are actively involved in sports do not need to calculate body mass index: running, swimming, cycling, weightlifting and more.
What is a normal body mass index?
If a person wants to feel good, he must monitor his weight. There are final figures, which determine the presence of excess kilograms:
- From 30 units and more. If the value is included in this indicator, the doctor will diagnose obesity. In this case, you need to contact professional nutritionists or, if possible, go in for sports and establish nutrition. If you do not follow a diet, then there is a risk of developing diseases;
- From 25 to 29 units. If the calculated value is in this range, the person is overweight. To solve the problem, you need proper nutrition and exercise;
- From 19 to 24. The figures indicate the ideal weight of a person. There is no need for weight loss. The main task of a woman is to maintain her current form;
- 19 and below. If, when calculating the BMI, the value is below 19, you need to gain weight. Consultation with a doctor is preliminarily conducted to find out the causes of weight loss.
The human body works differently at 25 and 45. In this regard, the norm of BMI may differ. To calculate it in accordance with age, you should use a different formula.If the woman’s age is less than 40 years, then for the calculation it is necessary to subtract 110 from growth in centimeters, and if more, then 100.
BMI calculation examplea woman is 39 years old and a height of 167. From 167 we subtract 110 and it turns out 57. Compare the resulting figure according to the table and conclude that there are or are no extra pounds.
Body mass index for children
A standard BMI scorecard is not suitable for children. They have their own, which must be carefully checked. First you need to calculate the body weight of the child in kilograms and divide by his height squared, expressed in meters. The result obtained is compared with the table.
Indicators of a normal body mass index in a child are from 13 to 21, depending on their gender and age.
for example, a child of 5 years old, weighs 40 kilograms with his growth of 1.4 m. It will be necessary to divide 40 by 1.1 = 28.5. The final figure in the table below indicates that the child is obese.
Children's health is the main task of parents. Regardless of how old he is - 2 or 18, his health must be monitored. BMI can tell your mother if the child has a tendency to obesity and whether it is necessary to solve the problem of underweight.
