Why are BMIs useful ?

BMI Calculator

Hello and welcome to BMIcalculator.ie.The easy and effortless method to calculate your BMI. Body mass index is a way to determine the extent to which you are overweight, underweight or normal. For those conscious regarding their health, calculating BMI can result in the alteration of lifestyles that might adversely impact your current or the future health. Enter your weight and height into the calculator and you'll get answers in an instant.Take the control of the state of your health today!

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Do you think your Body Mass Index ( BMI) really matters?

There are many reasons why a medical professional takes your weight and height at your annual checkup--one of them being so they can calculate the BMI. (BMI). How do you define BMI though? And does the number really affect you?

What is BMI?

A person's BMI is a measurement of your height to weight ratio (e.g. the greater in height you're taller, more you're likely to be weighing). Everybody's BMI is somewhere on an scale, which categorizes the person's weight as either underweight healthy, healthy or a degree of obesity.

• Underweight: BMI under 18.5
• Healthy: BMI between 18.5-24.9
• Overweight: BMI between 25-29.9
• Obesity: BMI of 30 or more

How can I determine my BMI?

One of the simplest ways to calculate your BMI is to search for a free BMI calculator online. When you've found one that you like, all you need to input is your weight and height.

Do you think BMI an accurate measure about my health?

Yes and there is no. BMI can be an important method for healthcare professionals to quickly determine health risks--for example, those with a high BMI has a higher chance of developing heart disease and diabetes. However, your BMI by itself doesn't give a detailed overview of your health. No matter what your BMI It's crucial to inform your doctor about life-style factors and family history that may affect your health.

According to Gundersen Dietitian registered Laura Birkel says: "Making sure you're getting enough activity, staying away from nicotine, engaging in regular physical activity and eating a good balanced diet are better indicators of your overall health than your BMI alone."

It's also worth bearing in the back of your head that your BMI can not always accurately reflect your body's specific structure, such as the amount of muscle versus fat you have. It's possible that you'll increase your exercise and find that your clothes begin to fit differently , yet either your weight or BMI remains the same. This is because of the composition changes in your physique (you're growing muscle and loss of weight).

OK. Then why would the BMI matter so?

Knowing your BMI can help your healthcare team better understand what care alternatives are available to you particularly if your BMI is higher than 30 and you want for improvement in your health. In particular, if want to try weight-loss aiding drugs or going through an eating-replacement program that is medically monitored, you must have an BMI that is greater than 30. If you are considering bariatric surgery for example, your BMI is required to be higher than 40. However, there are some exemptions for those who have an BMI between 30 and 40.

"BMI is a baseline measurement to help dictate where we go in terms of what kind of plan or program is most appropriate for a patient," Birkel says. "The number is not meant to define someone's health. It's meant to guide their care where it needs to go."