Why are BMIs useful ?

Why are BMIs useful?

The BMI measures an inexpensive, simple screening device utilized to determine the possibility of issues with weight for adults and children. A BMI test can be important to determine who needs further testing to identify health risks such as heart disease. The people who are at risk need more assessment. The assessment could include a the thickness of the skin fold test, diet, physical activity level, family history , and other relevant health screenings.

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Risks related to BMIs that are extreme

BMI Being or overweight (with an BMI that is 25 or higher) or underweight (with an BMI less than 18.5) can have a negative impact on your health.

Overweight

People who are obese or overweight obese are more at chance of developing diseases than people who are in those who are in the normal weight range. The risk of developing diseases increases with increasing BMI. Those classified overweight (BMI 25-29.9) are also likely to be considered pre-obese and are at risk of disease. In the category 1 of overweight (BMI 30-34.9) it is considered to be moderate risk of illness, and this risk rises to severe and severe risks at stages 2 of obesity (BMI 35-39.9) 3. (BMI greater than 40) respectively.

It is essential to keep in mind that BMI does not determine risk in and of itself. Other elements like what people eat, how frequently they exercise, and the presence of any history of diseases in their family also influences the risk of getting sick. As a group those who are obese and overweight have a higher risk of many illnesses.

They are at a significantly increased probability of

Type 2 Diabetes;
Gall bladder disease
Hypertension;
Dyslipidaemia;
Insulin Resistance;
Atherosclerosis;
Sleep apnoea
Breathlessness
Asthma;
Depression and social isolation.
The fatigue and sleepiness of the day.

They have a moderately elevated possibility of:

Cardiovascular diseases (i.e. stroke, heart attack);
Gout /hyperuricaemia;
Osteoarthritis;
Respiratory diseases;
Hernia;
Psychological problems.

They are at a slightly higher possibility of:

Some types of cancer (breast, colon and endometrial cancers);
Reproductive anomalies;
Unhealthy fertility;
Polycystic ovarian syndrome;
Skin problems;
Cataract;
Varicose veins;
Musculskeletal problems;
Bad back
Incontinence due to stress;
Oedema/cellulitis.

Underweight

Individuals who are underweight may be undernourished. They also have an increased chance of developing health issues including:

Imperfection in the immune system and increased susceptibility to infections;
Anaemia;
Osteoporosis;
Menstrual irregularities;
Impaired fertility.

What are the limitations of BMI?

BMI Limitations in connection with BMI are: BMI are:

BMI is different based on age, gender, and race. Thus, one's BMI can only be compared to those of the same sex, race and age.
BMI does not differentiate between fat and muscle, and therefore will underestimate in some and overestimate for others (e.g. A person who is an athlete could have a high BMI because of greater amount of muscle, rather than fat).
Disabled or elderly people are less muscular and therefore , have lower BMI. This doesn't necessarily mean that their weight is not normal or overweight.
Pregnant women also will have a higher BMI due to weight gain as a result of pregnancy, however not necessarily because of increased fat. BMI can underestimate the body's fat levels in this instance. Pregnancy BMI and weight gain during pregnancy should be used to determine an individual's weight, as well as the need for exercise and nutrition interventions.
BMI does not differentiate between the body's fat distribution. The fat at the waist ("apple" physique) is more risky than that around the hips ("pear" body shape), but this will not be analyzed by the BMI.

Consult your healthcare giver for other physical measurements that may require to be taken together with BMI to determine the health risks caused by obesity.

Other indicators of obesity

Table 2: Other ways to measure obesity

Measure	Description
Waist circumference	The circumference of your waist (WC) is an effective indicator of abdominal fat and is a good indicator of health risk. It is measured by putting an unstratified tape measurement around the narrowest part of your waist. It is measured over lightly or without clothing.For males:> 94 centimeters (37 inch) Risk increase to 102 inches (40 inch) Significantly increased risk women:> 80cm ( 31 inches) greater risk 88 cm (35 inch) A significantly higher risk also differs based on race and ethnicity. Health risks are higher when you have a lower WC for certain ethnic groups, including Aboriginal, Pacific Islander, South Asian, Chinese and Japanese populations.
Hip circumference	The hip circumference (HC) is determined by placing a piece of tape over the widest part of your hips, over minimal clothing. HC isn't useful as a stand-alone measurement; instead, it is used to calculate an equivalent ratio to WC as mentioned above.
Waist-hip ratio	Waist to Hip ratio (WHR) is the ratio of your waist circumference to hip circumference. For females , the typical WHR is approximately 0.80 in comparison to men it is 0.95.
Waist-height ratio	The ratio of waist to height is the proportion of your waist circumference to height.

More details

More information on nutrition, such as information on kinds and composition of foods, nutrition and people as well as conditions that relate to nutrition as well as diets and recipes as well as useful videos and other tools look up Nutrition.

For more information on overweight, social health, as well as ways to lose weight, and a variety of useful tools, visit Weight Loss.

References

National Health and Medical Research Council. Clinical Management Guidelines for the treatment of obesity and overweight in adults, adolescents and children in Australia. 2013. [cited 14 April 2014]. Available at [URL Link[URL Link]
Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. About BMI for Adults. 2011. [cited April 14th, 2014.] Available from: [ URL Link]
Keys A, Findanza F, KarvonenMJ, et al. Indices of weight-to-weight ratio and obesity. J Chron Dis. 1972; 25: 329-43. [Abstract]
Goh LGH, Dhaliwal SS, Welborn TA, et al. Anthropometric measurements of general and central obesity and the prediction of the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in women: a cross sectional study. BMJ Open. 2014: 4; e004138 doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004138 [Full Text]
Snijder MB, van Dam RM, Visser M, Seidell JC. What parts of body fat are especially dangerous and how do we assess them? Int. J. Epidemiol. 2006;35(1):83-92. [Full Text]
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Schneider J, Glaesmer H, etal. The accuracy of anthropometric measures of obesity in predicting cardiovascular risk. J Clin Endocrinol. 2007; 92(2): 589-594. 2005; 92(2): 589-594. Full text]
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Seidell J.C, Perusse L, Despres J-P, Bouchard C. Waist and hip circumferences possess independent and antagonistic effects on cardiovascular risk factors. Quebec Family Study. Am J Clin Nutr 2001; 74(3): 315-321. [ Full Text]
Mukuddem-Petersen J, Snijder MB, et al. Sagittal abdominal diameter: not an benefit over other anthropometric measures as a measure of the severity of metabolic syndrome among the elderly in the Hoorn Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006; 84(5): 995-1002. [Abstract]
Lean and M. Waist Circumference as an indicator for showing the need for weight management. BMJ 1995;311:158-161. [Full Text]
Esmailzadeh A Mirmiran P, Azizi F. The waist-hip ratio is an effective screening tool for cardiovascular risk factors over other anthropometric indicators Tehranian adult males. Int J Obesity 2004; 28: 1325-1332. [Ab`stract]
Australian Government Department of Health. About Overweight and Obesity. 2009. [cited 14 April 2014] Accessible from: URL Link]
NHS Choices. Underweight Adults. 2012. [cited 14 April 2014]. Available from:

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