What BMI really
means
Body Mass Index (BMI)
is a calulation based on a person’s height and weight. It is a reliable
indicator of a person’s level of fat. Even though it does not measure body
fat directly, research shows that BMI correlates to methods that do measure
fat directly. It short, BMI is an easy method of screen for weight problems
that could lead to significant health concerns.
BMI should be used
as a preliminary assessment of a potential problem. However, to thoroughly
assess the potential risk, other assessments are done including a test
to measure the thickness of the skin, a review of family history, and a
review of diet and exercise.
The same calculation
is used for people of all ages, races, and genders. However, a different
scale for results is used for each gender because women at the same BMI
tend to have more fat than men.
Other factors that
may skew the results of the BMI include age and athletic activity. At the
same BMI, older people tend to have more fat than younger people. Also,
highly trained athletes may have a lower level of fat than their BMI would
indicate because of increased muscularity.
There are two other
predictors of potential diseases related to obesity that should be considered
along with the BMI. They are the waist circumference and other risk factors
(such as high blood pressure or physical inactivity).
