Healthy weight
Overweight and obesity have been linked to several illnesses such as hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, etc. And keeping your weight in a healthy range will not only help minimise the risk of suffering from such conditions but also, for those who are affected, help in controlling the disease and prevent related complications.
So you might wonder if there is an ideal weight we should all try to achieve? The answer is no. People differ individually in every aspect, including their healthy weight.
However, a simple calculation of the Body Mass Index, or BMI, will help you know if you are in a healthy weight range.
BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)
The BMI is a simple indicator for weight status. The number determines whether your weight is in a healthy range, that is, your weight is within the normal or average range for your height and build. It was originally developed in the 19th century and has undergone some changes over the years as scientists continue to learn more about the relationship between weight and health.
For most people, BMI is a reliable indicator of body "fatness" or "thickness". It is calculated based on your height and weight.
HOW TO CALCULATE BMI?
The calculation might seem to be a little complicated, but the only data you need are your weight and height. The formulas are basically as follows:
BMI = weight in kilogrammes / (height in metres)2 or
BMI = weight in pounds x 703 / (height in inches)2
A basic calculator will do the job, or you can choose an online calculation tool from many websites.
THE HEALTHY RANGE
The BMI ranges indicate whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese, or morbidly (dangerously) obese. The ranges are as follows:
- If your BMI is less than 18.5, you are underweight.
- If your BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, you are in normal, healthy weight range.
- If your BMI is between 25 and 29.9, you are overweight.
- If your BMI is between 30 and 39.9, you are obese (more overweight).
- If your BMI is 40 or over, you are dangerously obese.
It should also be noted that the BMI ranges for children are different, and it's important to ask your child's doctor about the BMI for their age.
Though BMI is not a perfect measure and only a screening tool for assessing fatness or body fat, the risks of various health consequences have been shown to increase with BMI category.
Therefore, if your BMI falls outside of the normal or healthy weight range, even underweight, you may want to talk to your doctor or health care provider about how you might achieve a healthier body weight, either by changing your lifestyle (exercise and/or eating habit), or trying another weight-control method. In addition, health status and risk assessment should be performed as well.
So go grab a calculator now and calculate your BMI. And if you are wondering, I'm overweight.