Why are BMIs useful ?

Why are BMIs useful?

BMI is a BMI measures a simple, inexpensive screening device utilized to determine the possibility of problems with weight, for both adults and children. The BMI estimation is helpful in determining who requires further tests to detect health risks such as heart disease. Individuals at risk will need more evaluation. Assessments may include testing the thickness of the skin fold and diet, as well as physical activity levels, family history and other health screenings that are appropriate for the individual.

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Risks due to extreme BMIs

Being obese (with a BMI of 25 or more) or in the weight range of underweight (with a BMI lower than 18.5) can have an impact on your health.

Overweight

Individuals who are overweight or obese are at greater likelihood of suffering from disease than those in those who are in the normal weight range. The risk of getting sick increases as you increase your BMI. Overweight people (BMI 25-29.9) can also be considered to be pre-obese, and are at risk of diseases. In the category 1 of overweight (BMI 30-34.9) it is considered to be moderate risk of developing disease. The risk of getting sick increases to extreme and extremely severe risk when obesity stage 2 (BMI 35-39.9) 3. (BMI greater than 40) respectively.

It is important to realize that BMI does not define risk on its own. Other variables like the type of food one eats, how much they exercise and whether or not there's any history of diseases within their families can also affect the risk of developing diseases for an individual. But, as a collective the obese and overweight have an increased risk of numerous diseases.

They are significantly at risk likelihood of:

• Type 2 Diabetes;
• Gall bladder disease
• Hypertension;
• Dyslipidaemia;
• Insulin Resistance;
• Atherosclerosis;
• Sleep apnoea
• Breathlessness
• Asthma;
• Depression and social isolation;
• The fatigue and sleepiness of the day.

They have a moderately elevated probability of

• Cardiovascular disorders (i.e. stroke, heart attack);
• Gout /hyperuricaemia;
• Osteoarthritis;
• Respiratory disease;
• Hernia;
• Psychological issues.

They are slightly more at risk risk of:

• Some forms of cancer (breast, colon and endometrial cancers);
• Reproductive anomalies;
• Low fertility;
• Polycystic-ovarian syndrome
• Skin problems;
• Cataract;
• Varicose veins;
• Musculskeletal problems;
• Bad back;
• Stress incontinence;
• Oedema/cellulitis.

Underweight

In the event of being overweight, a person could be undernourished. In addition they have an increased chance of developing health issues such as:

• Immune function is compromised, resulting in increased susceptibility to infections
• Anaemia;
• Osteoporosis;
• Menstrual irregularities;
• The impaired fertility.

What are the limitations of BMI?

Limitations in connection with BMI are: BMI are:

• BMI is different based on age, gender and race. Thus, one's BMI cannot be compared to those of the same sex, race, and age.
• BMI doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle which is why it will underestimate certain instances and overestimate for others (e.g. An athlete may have a high BMI because of a greater percentage of muscle and less fat).
• Older or disabled people have less muscle mass , and therefore will have lower BMI. This does not necessarily mean that they are overweight or overweight.
• The pregnant women may also have a higher BMI because of the increased weight caused by pregnancy, but not always due to an increase in fat. BMI is a way to overestimate the amount of body fat. Pre-pregnancy BMI and weight increase during pregnancy should be used to determine a woman's weight and the necessity of exercise and nutritional interventions.
• BMI does not differentiate between the body's fat distribution. Fat at the waist ("apple" figure) is more hazardous than those around the hips ("pear" body shape) however, this is not reflected from the BMI.

Check with your healthcare provider for other physical measurements that may require to be utilized together with BMI to assess health risks due to obesity.

Other measures of the obesity

Table 2: Other indicators of obesity

Measure	Description
Waist circumference	The circumference of your waist (WC) is a good gauge of abdominal fat and can be used to indicate the risk of health problems. It is measured by putting the tape that is not stretched around the narrowest level of your waist. It is measured over thin or no clothing.For men:> 94 centimeters (37 inch) - increased risk> 102 centimeters (40 inch) Significantly increased risk women: > 80 cm ( 31 inch) Risk increase to the 88-cm (35 inch) Significantly increased risk is also dependent on ethnicity and health risk are more severe with lower WC for certain ethnic groups, including Aboriginal, Pacific Islander, South Asian, Chinese and Japanese populations.
The hip circumference	The hip circumference (HC) is measured using a tape that is placed around the widest area of your hip , layered over the top of your clothing. HC cannot be used on its own; usually it is used to calculate an inverse ratio to WC, as described above.
The ratio of hips to waist	Waist to hip ratio (WHR) is the ratio of your waist circumference to your hip circumference. For females , the standard WHR is approximately 0.80 however for men it is 0.95.
Waist-height ratio	The ratio between waist and height is the ratio of the circumference of your waist to your height.

More information

For more information about nutrition, including details on the kinds of food available and the composition as well as people and nutrition health conditions that are related to nutrition as well as diets and recipes and some useful videos and other tools to help you, check out Nutrition.

For more details on the social and health effects of obesity as well as other issues related to it, as well as methods to lose weight as well as some useful tools, visit Weight Loss.

References

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