Full form of BMI: Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely used metric that helps assess a person’s body composition and determine whether their weight is within a healthy range. It provides a simple numerical value based on an individual’s height and weight and serves as a starting point to evaluate their overall health status. In this article, we will explore the concept of BMI, its significance in understanding weight-related health risks, and how it is calculated.
What is the full form of BMI?
Body Mass Index is the full form of BMI. BMI is the ratio of an individual’s weight in kilograms to the square of an individual’s height in meters.
What is BMI?
Body mass index or BMI is a mathematical number that is measured to classify people under various categories of health such as underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese.
Body mass index gives a rough estimate of individual fitness and health. It shows that peoples with high BMI have too much fat or body weight and lower BMI shows that individuals do not have enough weight according to his/her height.
History of BMI
In the mid-19th century Belgian mathematician Adolphe Quetelet developed a mathematical measure which is known as Quetelet Index. Quetelet Index was calculated by dividing an Individual’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. Quetelet provides a statistical tool for comparing individuals within a population.
In 1972 an American physiologist Ancel Keys introduced the term BMI which shows the relationship between weight and health.
How BMI is Calculated?
Body Mass Index is calculated by dividing an individual’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.
formula
BMI = Weight (kg) / (Height (m))^2
To measure the BMI of a person you need to measure the height of people. After measuring the height in any unit, you must convert it into meters for measuring BMI. Next, you need to measure the weight of the person and convert the weight into kg.
Put both values in the above formula, and you will get the BMI or the individual.
BMI Categories
Following are the various categories of BMI are:
Underweight
- A person with BMI less than 18.5 comes under the Underweight categories
- Underweight categories Indicate that a person may have insufficient body weight relative to their height.
- Underweight individuals may be at risk of nutrient deficiencies, weakened immune systems, and other health concerns.
Normal weight
- A person whose BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9 comes under Normal weight categories
- Normal weight categories Indicate that person’s weight is considered healthy about their height.
Overweight
- A person whose BMI between 25 and 29.9 comes under the Overweight categories
- Overweight categories Indicate that the person has a higher amount of body weight than what is considered healthy for a given height.
Obesity
- A person with a BMI of 30 or higher comes under the Obesity categories
- Obesity categories Indicate that the person has a significant excess of body weight relative to height.
Benefits of Calculating BMI
BMI is a convenient screening tool to measure whether an individual’s weight is within a healthy range relative to their height. It helps to identify whether an individual’s health condition is good or is at risk.
By calculating BMI individuals and healthcare professionals can evaluate the potential risks of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, certain cancers, and other obesity-related disorders.
BMI calculation is an easy process so anyone can calculate it by itself and check whether their height and weight ratio is good or bad, and improve it at home itself.
Limitations of BMI Calculation
BMI calculation may not be equally applicable across different age groups. Body composition and fat distribution can vary on the age gap.
BMI may not reflect the health risks of younger individuals who have a higher proportion of muscle mass. For example, athletes or individuals who engage in regular strength training exercises may have a higher muscle mass. Therefore their BMI is also higher.
BMI doesn’t account for the overall health of the individual such as their physical and mental health.
How Can You Improve Your BMI?
After finding the BMI individuals need to find which category of BMI they are like. After this individual needs to make proper plan and schedule for improving their BMI.
- If the person belongs underweight category then they need to consume a proper Balanced and Nutritious Diet to increase their weight.
- If the person belongs to the normal weight category then they are in good health condition. They only need to maintain this through Regular Physical Activity and proper diet.
- If the person belongs to the overweight category then they need to lose their weight. So they need to do regular exercise and gym to improve their BMI.
Examples of BMI Calculation
1: Find out the BMI of a person with weighs 70 kilograms (kg) and whose height is 1.75 meters (m).
Solution
BMI = weight (kg) / (height (m))^2
- Step 1: Square the height. 1.75 x 1.75 = 3.06
- Step 2: Divide the weight by the squared height. BMI = 70 kg / 3.06 = 22.88
- The BMI is 22.88. So, the person comes under the Normal weight categories of BMI.
2: Find the BMI of a person who weighs 85 kilograms (kg) and has a height of 1.60 meters (m)?
Solution
BMI = weight (kg) / (height (m))^2
- Step 1: Square the height. 1.60 x 1.60 = 2.56
- Step 2: Divide the weight by the squared height. BMI = 85 kg / 2.56 = 33.20
- The BMI is 33.20. So the person comes under the Obesity category which Indicates that the person has a significant excess of body weight relative to height.
FAQs on Body Mass Index (BMI)
1. How is BMI calculated?
Answer:
BMI is calculated using the below formula:
BMI = weight (in kilograms) / (height (in meters))²
2. What is BMI?
Answer:
BMI is the ratio of an individual’s weight in kilograms to the square of an individual’s height in meters.
3. Are there limitations to using BMI?
Answer:
Yes, BMI doesn’t account for, body composition, or individual variations, so it has limitations.
4. Does BMI differentiate between muscle and fat?
Answer:
No, BMI doesn’t distinguish between muscle and fat. It considers total body weight in relation to height.