The body mass index, also known as the height-weight index, can be calculated by dividing the body mass in kilograms by the square of the body length in meters. It is a widely used method for calculating the ideal weight.
In other words, it is a type of parameter used to understand whether a person’s body weight is normal with respect to his height. Thanks to this calculation method, the person can learn what his ideal weight is and take the necessary measures to control his weight.
The value obtained in BMI (Body mass index) shows how close the person is to the healthy weight. However, this measurement does not show how much fat or muscle is in the body. It does not evaluate parameters such as age, gender, ethnicity. Nevertheless, it has an important role in monitoring the weight status of the society, predicting possible diseases and evaluating the risks.
In order to determine such values, it is necessary to contact the dietician and make a measurement. Despite all this, the height-weight index has an important share in understanding how close a person is to his ideal weight. The number value in BMI obtained after the mathematical calculation can be compared with the values in the body mass index and information about the weight status can be obtained.
How is the frequently asked, body mass index calculated? Before answering the question in detail, what is the body mass index? It is necessary to answer the question.
What is Body Mass Index?
Body mass index can be defined as measuring the person’s weight in relation to the weight. In other words, it is obtained by dividing the weight of the person in kilograms by the square of the length in meters. It is widely used to detect excess weight due to lubrication in children, adolescents and adults.
Although the body mass index is mostly in line with body fat measurement, it does not give a clear result about the rate of fatness. In other words, it does not measure body fat directly, instead it uses an equation to create estimates. Additional measurements should be made to measure and evaluate the amount of body and muscle in a person’s body.
Therefore, the height-weight index is not considered as a direct measure of how oily the body is. Body mass index is a tool to help determine whether a person is at a healthy or unhealthy weight.
If the person’s body mass index is high as a result of the calculation, this may mean that there is too much fat in the person’s body. In other words, the result of high BMI means that the person has a high risk of developing diseases such as heart diseases, high blood pressure and diabetes.
A very low BMI result indicates that the person is too weak compared to his height. This can also be a sign of the presence of many different diseases such as osteoporosis, weak immune system and anemia.
Therefore, the weight height index, which can be calculated very easily to help maintain the ideal weight, can help the person control his weight and, more importantly, take precautions against health risks that may develop depending on his weight.
How is Body Mass Index Calculated?
While calculating the body mass index does not provide clear information about body fat and muscle mass, it easily gives information about an individual’s ideal weight. It is understood that the higher the value obtained in the calculation of the height-weight index, which is an effective method to understand whether a person is in healthy weight, the higher the rate of fat in a person’s body.
BMI value can also be used to determine whether a person’s weight poses a risk for many health problems, such as heart attacks, diabetes, and cancer. The body mass index is calculated by dividing the person’s weight in kilograms by the square of his height in meters.
The result obtained is used in understanding the weight category of the person. The weight height index, which provides a good estimate of body fat for many people, may not make sense for bodybuilders, regular sports and other muscular people.
Even if they are not overweight, they may experience high BMI values due to excessive muscle mass. It may also be inadequate to demonstrate that excessive body fat is high in older people who lose a lot of muscle mass.
Although the same formula is used for children and adolescents while performing the height-weight index calculation, the result obtained in terms of BMI is interpreted differently. Body mass index calculation in adults, teens and children is done as follows:
As in all age groups, the height and weight of the person should be measured correctly. Then the formula of body weight (kg) / square of height (m) square is used to calculate the height weight index.
The person’s 1.82 m. length and 115 kg. In a case where it has a weight, the calculation is done as follows:
1.82x 1.82 = 3.31
115 / 3.31 = 34.7
In this case, the person’s body mass index is 34.7 BMI.
In another example, the person’s 1.80 m. tall and 80 kg. Assumed to be weighed, the BMI value is calculated as follows:
1.80 x 1.80 = 3.24
80 / 3.24 = 24.69
In this case, the body mass index of the person is 24.69 BMI.
Although the method of calculating the height and weight index of young people between 2 and 18 years old is done in the same way, the results are evaluated differently. Even if two children have the same BMI value, one can be observed to be obese and the other to an ideal weight. In other words, since the height-weight index differs according to age and gender in this age group, the measurement is recommended to be performed by a specialist dietitian or pediatrician.
What Does Body Mass Index Value Mean?
After calculating the body mass index, the value obtained in BMI is interpreted as follows:
0 to 18.4 BMI: Weak. In the event that this value, which indicates that the weight of the person is insufficient compared to the height, it is recommended that the person gain weight in a healthy way with a dietitian.
18.5 to 24.9 BMI: Normal. This value range indicates that the person is at ideal weight. People with this value are advised to continue their regular, balanced and healthy diet.
25 to 29.9 BMI: Overweight. In this value range, which shows that the person’s weight is higher compared to the height, it is recommended that the person get rid of excess weight with an appropriate diet.
30 to 34.9 BMI: Fat. In the value range that evaluates in the first degree obese category, it is understood that the person’s weight is at a level that may pose a risk to health. These people are recommended to lose weight with the help of a dietician.
35 to 44.9 BMI: Fat. People with these values, defined as second degree obese, have an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is recommended that the person consult a dietician to lose weight.
45+ BMI: Overweight. Those who are in the third degree obese category have a very high risk of developing diseases. Weight loss is recommended with a physician and dietitian.
According to the age range, the ideal body mass index of the person is as follows:
19-24 Age: 19-24 BMI.
25-34 Age: 20-25 BMI.
35-44 Age: 21-26 BMI.
45-54 Age: 22-27 BMI.
55-64 Age: 23-28 BMI.
65 Years and above: 24-29 BMI.
Click to easily measure your body mass index.
If you or someone close to you have weight problems, do not forget to have your checks done by applying to the nearest health institution. We wish you healthy days.
