Why are BMIs useful ?

BMI Calculator

Welcoming to BMIcalculator.ie.The easy and easy way to calculate the body mass index. The BMI can tell whether you are overweight, underweight or normal. For those who are conscious about their health, calculating BMI could lead to an adjustment in lifestyle that could adversely affect your present or the future health. Simply enter your height and weight into the calculator and you'll get the results you want in an instant.Take control of the state of your health now!

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Do you think your Body Mass Index ( BMI) really have any bearing?

There are a variety of reasons why a health professional will take your weight and height at your annual check-up, one of them being to calculate the BMI. (BMI). How do you define BMI however? Does the BMI number really have any significance?

What is BMI?

The BMI of your BMI is a measure of your weight to height ratio (e.g. the higher your height, the heavier you're likely to be weighing). Every person's BMI is somewhere on the scale, and it categorizes the measurement as overweight healthy, normal or an indication of obesity.

• Underweight: BMI under 18.5
• Healthy: BMI between 18.5-24.9
• Overweight: BMI between 25-29.9
• Obesity: BMI at least 30

How do I determine my BMI?

One of the most straightforward ways to determine your BMI is to search for a no-cost BMI calculator on the internet. If you locate one that you like, all you have to do is input your weight and height.

Are BMI an accurate measure about my health?

Yes and not. BMI can be a valuable instrument for healthcare professionals to identify health risk factors, for instance, those with a high BMI is more likely of developing heart disease and diabetes, but your BMI isn't enough to provide an accurate image of health. Whatever your BMI however, it's important to inform your doctor about the lifestyle and family history which could impact 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 is also important to keep in your mind that BMI isn't always accurate to reflect your body's specific composition, for instance, the amount of fat and muscle you possess. It is possible to increase your exercise and notice that your clothes start to look different, but the weight, or BMI remains the same. This is due to the structure changes in your physique (you're growing muscle and burning fat).

OK. But why is the BMI matter in the first place?

Knowing your BMI will help your healthcare team understand the treatment alternatives are available to you particularly if your BMI is higher than 30 and you're looking increase your health. For instance, if you are considering taking weight loss aiding medications or an supervised and medically-supervised program for meal replacement it is necessary to have an BMI higher than 30. In order to undergo bariatric surgery, your BMI must be greater than 40. There are exceptions for people with 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 states. "The number is not meant to define someone's health. It's meant to guide their care where it needs to go."