As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), BMI is defined as a scale that determines one’s body size. Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated based on an individual’s weight and height. BMI factor is directly proportional to body-fat. In simple terms, more the BMI, more will be your body-fat percentage. It helps determine how much healthy body weight you should be to lead a healthier life. Based on the BMI, you fall in one of the following categories –
- Underweight: BMI below 18.5
- Healthy/Normal: BMI between 18.5 and 24.9
- Overweight: BMI between 25 and 29.9
- Obese: BMI above 30
Previously, BMI was calculated using charts that mentioned your height alongside which an ideal weight range used to be mentioned. Actuarial statistics were used to develop these charts, and health insurance companies performed these complex calculations. It helped them determine the likelihood of you reaching an advanced age. Using these charts was cumbersome and usually did not provide accurate healthy weight values.
Thus, the concept of BMI came into existence. BMI expresses the relationship between your height and weight, offering a more precise guide to determining one’s body size/healthy weight value. Also, many reports say that the origin of the BMI is over 200 years old. However, this is a fairly new measure of health to many people.
What is the significance of BMI?
Why do we have to consider BMI as a guide to determine a healthy life? To put it simply, the higher your BMI, the higher is the risk of developing a range of health conditions linked with excess weight. If you have a higher BMI, you are prone to diseases like:
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Liver disease
- Several types of cancer (such as those of the breast, colon, and prostate)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High cholesterol
- Sleep apnea
Many reports by WHO suggest that over 3 million people die every year globally due to being overweight or obese. Besides, studies show that irrespective of any health concerns, people with a higher BMI often report feeling better (both physically and mentally) once they lose the excess weight.
So, how should you calculate your BMI?
The formula to calculate BMI is to divide your weight (in kilograms) by the square of your height (in meters). For instance, if you weigh 70kgs and you are 185cm tall, your BMI calculation will look like this:
BMI = 70/ (1.85*1.85) = 20.4
If you do not wish to perform such mathematical calculations, you can use the online BMI calculator for men and women. The tool is available for free on your health insurer’s website.
Besides, it is essential to note that BMI is one of the health insurance premium-determining factors. So, people with a healthy BMI tend to secure an affordable deal when buying health insurance plans. On the other hand, people with a higher BMI have to pay expensive premiums as they are classified as high-risk applicants by the health insurer.
