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Body Mass Index (BMI) Is Just a Number |
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Written by Kelly Dilauro
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In the 19th century, a Belgian
statistician Adolphe Quetelet develop ed the Quetelet Index - what is now known
as the Body Mass Index or BMI.
Today, the Body Mass Index (BMI) is widely used as a measure of
obesity and it is calculated by dividing your weight in kilogram by your height
in meters square.
According to the World Health Organization,
- a
BMI of less than 18.5 is Underweight
- a
BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is Normal weight
- a
BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 is Overweight
- a
BMI between 30.0 and 34.9 is Class I Obesity
- a
BMI between 35 and 39.9 is Class II Obesity
- a
BMI greater than 40 is Class III or Morbid Obesity
The body mass index was designed as a
statistical tool for researchers and never as a gauge for wellness.
After years of research, experts have
concluded that although the Body Mass Index is useful in statistical research,
it has a number of limitations. The limitations include:
- The
body mass index measures an individual's total body weight and not the
actual amount of fat. The amount of fat, muscle mass, bone structure and
total body water all contribute to the total body weight. Very athletic
individuals (with well built muscles) or individuals with a heavy bone
structure will therefore, have a BMI that puts them in the overweight
category when they aren't. Why? Simply because muscle and bone weigh much
more than fat.
- The BMI is not always accurate in elderly adults, who have often lost
muscle and bone mass. Although their BMI might be within a normal
range, they could still be overweight.
- The BMI may also relate differently
to various ethnic groups. For example, Asians may be at risk for health
problems at a lower BMI than Caucasians.
- People
who have a very lean body build or young adults who have not attained
their full growth will fall into the ‘underweight' BMI category.
- The
fact that your BMI falls into the ‘normal' range does not mean you are in
perfect health. A normal BMI plus truncal obesity (increased waist
circumference) puts you at risk of developing cardiovascular disease as
well as type II diabetes mellitus.
The Body Mass Index
is not the end all be all to good health. Rather than relying on
numbers to be in good health it more important to focus on such
important things as:
- Being
physically active by exercising regularly
- Watching
your diet (reduce salt and alcohol intake to the recommended minimum)
- Quitting
smoking (if you smoke)
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Eating naturally
- Substituting bad fats with healthy fats
Remember the focus should be adopting healthy
lifestyles and not just on the numbers.
About the Author
 Kelly J. DiLauro
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Nutrition 
