Is there an accurate way to tell whether you’re at your ideal weight level? The answer is yes — and that method is what we call the BMI. It’s a general measure to see whether a person is overweight, underweight, obese, or at a healthy weight. Here’s how to find out your own BMI.
What Does BMI Stand For?
BMI actually stands for Body Mass Index. It’s not a measurement of how much body fat you have on — it just tells you whether your weight is at a healthy range for a person of your height. When you know your BMI value, you’ll have an idea of what you need to do to stay healthy.
Your BMI value comes in the form of a number. The higher the value, the more weight you have for your height. The lower the value, the less weight you have — which, by the way, isn’t healthy either! The idea is to adjust your weight slowly to achieve a BMI you’re comfortable with.
Related: The Importance of Exercise — Aerobics, Jogging or Ab Crunches
How To Calculate Your BMI
To calculate your BMI, you’ll first need to get your weight in kilograms. If you’re not sure how much you weigh in the metric system, simply take your weight in pounds and divide it by 2.2046. The resulting figure is your weight in kilograms.
Next, get your height in meters. Again, if you’re not sure about your height in meters, simply take your height in inches, and then divide it by 40. Once you get your height in meters, multiply it by itself. (In geek-speak, square it.) And take note of the resulting number.
To get your BMI, divide your weight in kilograms with the square of your height in meters. When you get a value between 15 and 50, then you’re likely on the right track.
What Your BMI 18.5–25 Means
If your BMI value is between 18.5 and 25, then congratulations — you’re in what many experts claim to be the ideal range. It’s likely you’re in good health. Your goal should be to stay in the healthy BMI range.
Should You Worry If Your BMI Is Less Than 18.5?
If your BMI value is less than 18.5, then you’re underweight. You’re likely a bit skinny for your height, and that can put your health at some risk. Underweight individuals are somewhat more prone to sickness, so it’s your job to steadily gain weight and raise your BMI value above 18.5.
So what other problems will you have when being underweight?
When you are underweight your body is not getting enough calories. This lack of vitamins and minerals may cause following health issues:
- Weak or fragile bones due to low intake of vitamin D and calcium
- Get sick easily due to weak immune system. When you don’t take in enough nutrients, you will have difficulty fighting illness.
- Hair loss. Yes, underweight can cause thin hair fall out easily.
Your Life is in Danger If You Have BMI Over 40
If your BMI value is between 25–30, it means you’re overweight — and you may want to lose a bit of the flab for your own good. If your BMI value is between 30 and 40, then you’re classified as obese — and if over 40, you’re morbidly obese! It’s time to seriously find a way to lose all that extra weight — you’re putting your life in danger of many lethal diseases.
What’s your BMI? What do you need to do to stay healthy? Calculate it now!
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Originally published at https://www.vitactivate.com on December 24, 2019.