| Anthropometry |
|
What is the body mass index (BMI)?
Is BMI interpreted differently for children and teens than adults? How to calculate BMI? What is BMI calculation formula? What is a healthy BMI? How do you find your BMI risk level? What does my BMI mean? What does it mean to be underweight? What are the issues that one faces if one is underweight? How does being underweight affect pregnancy? What are the causes for being underweight? How can one try to gain weight? What is the waist circumference? Your body is made up of water, fat, protein, carbohydrate and various vitamins and minerals. If you have too much fat - especially if a lot of it is at your waist - you're at higher risk for such health problems as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes. That increases your risk for heart disease and stroke. Obesity is now recognized as a major, independent risk factor for heart disease. If you're overweight or obese, you can reduce your risk for heart disease by successfully losing weight and keeping it off. Waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) are indirect ways to assess your body composition. Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is another index of body fat distribution. However, WHR is less accurate than BMI or waist circumference and is no longer recommended. See how your waist circumference and your BMI affect your risk for diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. What is the body mass index (BMI)? Body mass index assesses your body weight relative to height. It's a useful, indirect measure of body composition because it correlates highly with body fat in most people. Weight in kilograms is divided by height in meters squared (kg/m2). In studies by the National Center for Health Statistics, * BMI values less than 18.5 are considered underweight. * BMI values from 18.5 to 24.9 are healthy. * Overweight is defined as a body mass index of 25.0 to less than 30.0. A BMI of about 25 kg/m2 corresponds to about 10 percent over ideal body weight. People with BMIs in this range have an increased risk of heart and blood vessel disease. * Obesity is defined as a BMI of 30.0 or greater (based on NIH guidelines) — about 30 pounds or more overweight. People with BMIs of 30 or more are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease. * Extreme obesity is defined as a BMI of 40 or greater. Some well-trained people with dense muscle mass may have a high BMI score but very little body fat. For them, the waist circumference, the skinfold thickness or more direct methods of measuring body fat may be more useful measures. Is BMI interpreted differently for children and teens than adults? Yes, it is. BMI for children and teens (2 – 20 years) is gender and age specific. BMI for children is plotted on growth charts. To get the charts and learn about their interpretation, visit http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/ http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/who_charts.htm How to calculate BMI? What is BMI calculation formula? English: BMI = 703 x Weight in Pounds / (Height in Inches x Height in Inches) Metric: BMI = Weight in Kilograms / (Height in Meters x Height in Meters) 1 Foot = 0.3048 Meters 5.1 Feet = 1.55448 Meters What is a healthy BMI? For adults aged 20 years or older, BMI falls into one of these categories: * Underweight (below 18.5) * Normal (from 18.5 to 24.9) * Overweight (from 25 to 29.9) * Obese (over 30) body_mass_index.html How do you find your BMI risk level? 1. Use a weight scale on a hard, flat, uncarpeted surface. Wear very little clothing and no shoes. 2. Weigh yourself to the nearest pound. 3. With your eyes facing forward and your heels together, stand very straight against a wall. Your buttocks, shoulders and the back of your head should be touching the wall. 4. Mark your height at the highest point of your head. Then measure your height in feet and inches to the nearest 1/4 inch. Also figure your height in inches only. 5. Find your height in feet and inches in the first column of the Body Mass Index Risk Levels table. The ranges of weight that correspond to minimal risk, moderate risk (overweight) and high risk (obese) are shown in the three columns for each height. Height Minimal risk (BMI under 25) Moderate risk (BMI 25–29.9) Overweight High risk (BMI 30 and above) Obese 4'10" 118 lbs. or less 119–142 lbs. 143 lbs. or more 4'11" 123 or less 124–147 148 or more 5'0 127 or less 128–152 153 or more 5'1" 131 or less 132–157 158 or more 5'2' 135 or less 136–163 164 or more 5'3" 140 or less 141–168 169 or more 5'4" 144 or less 145–173 174 or more 5'5" 149 or less 150–179 180 or more 5'6" 154 or less 155–185 186 or more 5'7" 158 or less 159–190 191 or more 5'8" 163 or less 164–196 197 or more 5'9" 168 or less 169–202 203 or more 5'10" 173 or less 174–208 209 or more 5'11" 178 or less 179–214 215 or more 6'0" 183 or less 184–220 221 or more 6'1" 188 or less 189–226 227 or more 6'2" 193 or less 194–232 233 or more 6'3" 199 or less 200–239 240 or more 6'4" 204 or less 205–245 246 or more To calculate your exact BMI value, multiply your weight in pounds by 703, divide by your height in inches, then divide again by your height in inches. What does my BMI mean? The Body Mass Index (BMI) measures the weight status of your body in relation to the fat. It is a simple tool that helps to figure out the amount of excess body fat and the associated risks of carrying this extra weight. It can be applied to both men and women. It is advisable to use ‘Body Mass Index’ along ‘Waist to Hip Ratio’ to get a complete picture of your weight status. Being Underweight In today’s world where so much emphasis is laid on body image, it has become all the more important for a person to look trim and fit. Often people want to take the easy route to lose weight by starving themselves. This may lead to rapid weight loss and sometimes cause a lot of health problems. The issues of being overweight and obesity which lead to problems like Diabetes are discussed often. Being underweight comes with its own set of health hazards and is often overlooked. This article attempts to shed light on the various health issues that are a consequence of being underweight. What does it mean to be underweight? BMI or Body Mass Index is a measure that is used to determine whether a person is of normal weight or whether he/she is over or underweight. There is usually a range for each group (underweight, normal, overweight) and depending upon a person’s height and weight, he/ she falls into one of these groups. The relation between BMI and weight status is as follows: (BMI) Range - Below 16.5 Severely underweight (BMI) Range - 16.5 to 18.4 Underweight (BMI) Range - 18.5 to 24.9 Normal (BMI) Range - 25.0 to 29.9 Overweight (BMI) Range - Above 30.0 Obese What are the issues that one faces if one is underweight? While being thin is considered fashionable, being too thin and underweight is a serious health risk that one must guard against. Woman and young girls in their teens are at greatest risk for being underweight. * Underweight women have to deal with the issue of fertility – being underweight can lead to abnormality in the hormonal balance and affect the reproductive system. Menstrual cycle and Ovulation may be affected and consequently issues with pregnancy can arise. * A complete stop of menstruation or amenorrhea may result due to hormonal imbalance and loss of fat deposits when one is underweight. * Anemia is another major health hazard of being underweight. Decreased levels of iron in the body or decreased production of red blood Cells may result in low hemoglobin levels in blood. These conditions result is poor oxygenation of the tissues, leading to fatigue and dizziness. * Bone loss due to osteoporosis is common in underweight women. This is further pronounced in postmenopausal women who have decreased levels of Estrogen. Teenagers are also at risk for developing osteoporosis early on because malnourishment caused by being underweight depletes calcium from the bones. * The Immune System of an underweight person can be weakened due to malnourishment and decrease their ability to fight infection. How does being underweight affect pregnancy? An underweight woman has a higher chance of giving birth to a Premature Baby. It is thus important to make an effort to gain weight consistently throughout pregnancy to reduce to risk of preterm labor. Underweight moms give birth to underweight babies. Also the increased risk of being Anemic due to being underweight and malnourished puts the baby at a higher risk for developing anemia. Overall development of the growing baby is affected if the mother is underweight and malnourished. What are the causes for being underweight? Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia), certain diseases (type I diabetes, hyperthyroidism, etc), infections, social conditions (malnutrition), lifestyle (drug usage), mental makeup of the person (depression, anxiety) or genetic factors can all lead to a person not eating well and end up being underweight. How can one try to gain weight? If you have an underlying medical condition that is the cause of you being underweight; seek treatment for the disorder. Controlling the medical problem will help you put on some weight. Increasing the calorie intake can help an underweight person achieve a normal weight. Eat at least 2-3 meals per day comprising of healthy foods that are high in calories. Exercise can help to gain muscle mass and thus increase weight. Stay away from junk foods (cookies, chips, soft drinks, candies which are high in sugar and salt content) and eat healthy snacks in between meals. What is the waist circumference? Waist circumference is the distance around your natural waist (just above the navel). If your BMI is greater than or equal to 25 kg/m2, your goal for waist circumference is less than 40 inches if you're a man and less than 35 inches if you're a woman. |
|
Underweight Is being underweight really a problem? |
| Nutrition Prescription |
| Organic Foods: What You Need to Know |
| Healthy Ways to Gain Weight If You’re Underweight |
| AIM to Change Food and Activity Journal |
| Food Habits Survey |
| Nutrition: Tips for Improving Your Health |
| Nutrient Deficiency Questionnaire |
| Nutrition: Tips for Improving Your Health |
| Nutrition: Keeping a Food Diary |
| Nutrition: How to Make Healthier Food Choices |
| Changing Your Diet: Choosing Nutrient-rich Foods |
|
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/childrens_bmi/about_childrens_bmi.html About BMI for Children and Teens |
| http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_Mass_Index |