What Is BMI
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a tool used to estimate the body's fat percentage and evaluate whether a person is within a healthy weight range using height and weight measurements. This value, which is also used to assess the risk of developing many diseases due to excess weight, provides an estimated data related to body fat. The value ranges that can be given for "What should be the body mass index?" may indicate that individuals have an ideal weight. Being within healthy body mass index values is one of the important building blocks for a healthy body.
Body Mass Index (BMI), also known as body mass index, is a screening tool used to estimate the amount of body fat in the human body. When asked "What is body mass index?", the answer can be given as a value calculated by dividing the weight in kilograms by the square of the height in meters.
What Does Body Mass Index Measure?
In many individuals, body mass index is associated with body fat. However, in individuals with high muscle mass, this value can also be high, and in such cases, accurate data on fat tissue may not be obtained. In elderly adults, the amount of body fat may be underestimated due to loss of muscle mass. Therefore, BMI cannot be used alone as a diagnostic tool. Healthcare professionals evaluate a patient's health status by considering body mass index along with other screening tests.
What Diseases Does High Body Mass Index Indicate?
Having an ideal fat mass and weight can reduce the risk of many diseases. High body fat can lead to serious health problems such as obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. Low body fat may indicate that individuals are undernourished and may be a precursor to health problems that can arise due to nutritional deficiencies. In addition, having an ideal amount of body fat can help the body have the necessary amounts of vitamins and minerals, access to an energy source, and maintain body temperature.
How much should the Body Mass Index be?
The Body Mass Index (BMI) has been categorized for adults into specific classifications. Certain results are obtained through mathematical calculations. Asking "What does a BMI between 18 and 27 mean?" actually shows what the ideal BMI values are after these calculations. By comparing the results obtained through calculations with the following list, the answer to the question "What should be the body mass index?" can be learned.
- Underweight: less than 18.5 kg/m2
- Normal weight: between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2
- Overweight: between 25 and 29.9 kg/m2
- Class I Obesity: between 30 and 34.9 kg/m2
- Class II Obesity: between 35 and 39.9 kg/m2
- Class III Obesity (morbid obesity): 40 kg/m2 and above
Age and muscle mass can indeed influence these evaluation ranges. Various measurement techniques can be used to classify types of weight when assessing body mass index. Measurements such as waist circumference, skinfold thickness at specific areas of the body such as the triceps or beneath the shoulder blades, and techniques like DEXA scanning can also be utilized.
How is Body Mass Index Calculated?
The Body Mass Index is a value calculated by dividing the weight in kilograms by the square of the height in meters. This calculation can be explained more clearly with an example. For instance:
If a person weighs 70 kilograms and has a height of 1.75 meters:
70 / 1.75^2 = 22.87 kg/m2, indicating a body mass index of 22.87.
The result obtained from the body mass index according to age can be evaluated in different categories. The body mass index for children is not determined using the same value ranges as for adults. Special charts are used for children by healthcare professionals.
What is Body Mass Index Used For?
Following the calculation of body mass index, various health risks can be screened based on the numerical data obtained. If the body mass index is below 18.5, there may be a risk of certain health conditions due to underweight. Conditions such as inadequate nutrition, weakened immune system, osteoporosis, and infertility can develop due to low weight. After obtaining a low body mass index, individuals may need blood tests and different screening examinations to determine if they have any malnutrition.
How is Body Mass Index Used in the Diagnosis of Obesity?
Body mass index is an important measure used in the diagnosis of obesity. High BMI values indicate which class of obesity individuals fall into. In cases where the body mass index is high, there may be an increased risk of developing various diseases due to excess weight. Heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, gallstones, sleep apnea, depression, and various types of cancer are diseases associated with excess weight.
Of course, high BMI values are not the only factor in the development of such diseases. Some individuals may develop these diseases even if they are within ideal weight ranges. Conversely, a person with high BMI values may not necessarily have a disease that can develop due to excess weight.
What Should You Do Based on the Result of Body Mass Index?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure that evaluates a person's weight relative to their height. BMI is used to determine whether a person is obese or overweight. If the BMI value is below 18.5, the person is considered underweight; between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered normal weight; between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight; and above 30 is considered obese.
If the BMI value is above 25, the person should make some changes to lose weight. These changes include:
- Healthy Eating: It's the most important step in losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight. This involves eating foods rich in nutrients such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
- Regular Exercise: It's a great way to lose weight and increase muscle mass. Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity.
- Healthy Lifestyle Changes: Healthy lifestyle changes can make weight loss and weight maintenance easier.
These changes may include:
- Getting enough sleep
- Reducing stress
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Not smoking If the BMI value is above 30, the individual needs to put in more effort to lose weight. In this case, seeking help from a dietitian or nutrition specialist can be beneficial.
How Much Should the Body Mass Index Be in Children?
In children, the Body Mass Index (BMI) is evaluated differently compared to adults. Standard BMI tables are not used for assessing weight in infants and children. Instead, growth charts published in medical literature can be used to determine the ideal ranges of age and height for the child. Age growth charts published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show the ideal BMI percentile for a child's age and gender in each percentile range. As children and adolescents grow, changes in height and weight ranges may occur. Gender is an influential factor in determining the ideal ranges for children. Growth charts are specific to gender and show BMI percentiles by age.
What is the Ideal Body Mass Index for Children?
They are used to monitor the growth of children between the ages of 2 and 19. Similarly, infant BMI is examined in a similar way. For infants, it is also not appropriate to rely solely on the kg/m2 calculation. For these reasons, it is not accurate to provide specific values for BMI for babies and children.
Calculations take into account the child's age, height, and gender. The calculations yield a percentile value. These percentile values are classified as follows;
- Below the 5th percentile: Underweight
- Between the 5th and 85th percentiles: Healthy weight
- Between the 85th and 95th percentiles: Overweight
- At or above the 95th percentile: Obesity
- If the percentile is above 120% of the 95th percentile, it is considered severe obesity.
Having a high weight-for-height percentile according to age, as in adulthood, can increase the risk of developing chronic health problems such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and early-onset diabetes. Cardiovascular diseases can also be observed at an early age due to excess weight. Conversely, if the BMI percentile is low, various nutrient deficiencies can develop due to inadequate nutrition, negatively impacting children's growth and development process.
* Contents of this page is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at Liv Hospital .
