Body Mass Index-The Basics

Answer 1

In this contemporary era, more and more people are becoming interested in optimizing wellness. Although there are various factors that one should take into consideration when attempting to maximize health, body mass index can play a critical role in helping an individual attain or maintain wellness. By learning more about your body mass index, you can take a great step towards attaining a life of wellness. Body Mass Index-The Basics As many fitness experts know, body mass index is a number which is calculated from an individual's height and weight. Body mass index correlates roughly to how much of your total body weight results from fat (as opposed to bone, organ, or muscle.) The higher a person's body mass index, the higher percentage of fat they have in their body. If you have a BMI that is lower than 20, you may be underweight. Individuals who fall within the 20-25 range are likely maintaining a healthy weight. People who have a BMI higher than 25 are deemed overweight. Those with a BMI higher than 35 are considered to be obese. Although beneficial for numerous reasons, one of the BMI's greatest advantages to humans is its ability to help determine whether an individual needs to gain weight, lose weight, or focus on weight maintenance. Gender Differences In Body Mass Index Generally, women have more subcutaneous fat than their male counterparts, especially in the hip and breast area. For this reason, their body fat percentage might be higher without this fact being reflected in a BMI reading. Additionally, the presence of subcutaneous fat in women will not necessarily entail any debilitating diseases or health conditions. However, body fat is still a key factor that serves as a predictor that an individual may be susceptible to health issues. The Dangers Of Low Body Fat While high body fat can be an indicator that one may have a health problem, very low body fat can also be an indicator of poor health. Because our bodies need to be able to remove energy from fat stores, the absence of fat will cause the body to consume its own muscle mass to continue functioning properly. An example of how low body fat could work against an individual would be an athlete who overtrains and has little to no fat stores available for energy use. When this happens, the athlete could lose strength, agility, and become susceptible to illness. Conclusion As many health experts know, determining one's body mass index is important because it can help an individual understand if they need to lose, gain, or maintain their weight. Once this information is acquired, people can begin making the adjustments necessary to maximize their physical health and lead productive, positive lives.