Body Mass Index

What is Body Mass Index?

Your Body Mass Index or BMI is a measure of body fat based on your height and weight. It can indicate weather a person is underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese. Weighing to little or to much can cause several different health problems.

• Overweight or Obese: diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular problems
• Underweight: malnutrition, osteoporosis, and anemia

What the BMI Scale looks like?

• Underweight- BMI of less than 18.5
• Healthy Weight- BMI of 18.5-24.9
• Overweight- BMI of 25-29.9
• Obese- BMI of over 30

It is important to know your BMI so that if you do fall into one of the risk categories you can take appropriate action, before one of the many health risks occur. It is important to know your BMI not only to prevent health risks but there are also many benefits of being a healthy weight.

Benefits of being a Healthy Weight

• fewer joint and muscle pains
• increased energy
• ability to do more activities
• improved regulation of bodily fluids and blood pressure
• increase in heart and circulatory system health
• improved sleep patterns