We all are familiar with the proverb Health Is Wealth and it's the most prominent part of our daily life. We cannot enjoy happiness without being healthy both mentally and physically. Our health depends upon three major factors: physical health, mental health and spiritual health.

Today's article is dedicated to our physical health and we are going to discuss the most undervalued factor which is Body Mass Index BMI. Let me clarify one thing here: it's not similar to weight.

Read the whole article to blow your mind and efficiently answer if anyone asks you what does my body mass tell me about my health?

What Is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Body Mass Index is the numerical single digit value. It is used to observe a person's body weight in relation to their height. We measure weight in kilograms and height in meters per second square. It is calculated by dividing the both values.

The formula for BMI is:

weight in kilograms) / (height in meters)^2

The result which comes then fall into four categories:

• Underweight
• Overweight
• Normal weight
• Obese

However BMI is not the only index to judge an individual’s health as it's not the most accurate factor to judge health.

Is BMI Always the Best Measure of health?

Unfortunately BMI is not the best measure for health. Following are the reasons why:

• BMI is the ratio of only weight to height. It doesn't know anything about body composition. Therefore it may mislead a person with higher muscle mass as overweight and a person with lower muscle mass as normal weight.
• BMI doesn't take any accountability for either health measures like blood pressure and sugar. It may be possible that people with Good BMI scores have serious health issues due to poor diet and inactive life.
• BMI failed badly at differentiation between good and bad fat.
• BMI is the tool for adults only as children and teenagers are in the growing stage so it's hard to predict their height and expected weight till a certain age.

How To Calculate The BMI?

Calculating your BMI is not difficult. You can use the formula:

BMI = (weight in kilograms) / (height in meters)^2

For Example:

Your weight is 65 and your height is 5”3. Now put the values in the formula:

65 / 5”3 ^ 2

6.132

So, by calculating with formula your BMI is 6.132

Don't Get Confused Between BMI And Body Fat Percentage:

BMI is a simple formula that shows the relation between a person's height and weight. It doesn't directly measure body fat but provides a general indicator of body mass.

Body Fat Percentage, measures the proportion of the body's weight. It gives more accurate results about body fat composition.

Being overweight or underweight can affect your health:

Both being underweight and overweight can affect your health badly. Overweight may lead you to diseases like heart disease, obesity and early deaths while underweight may lead you to a weak body. It is advisable to consult a nutritionist to balance a healthy weight.

Risks of being overweight (high BMI) and physically inactive:

Almost a quarter of the world population is facing this issue due to our inactive life. However following are the few risks of being overweight:

• Increased risk of heart disease.
• High blood pressure.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Elevated cholesterol levels.
• Joint problems and arthritis.
• Sleep apnea and breathing difficulties.

Risks of being underweight (low BMI):

You have seen many people with skinny bodies. If you’re one of them then following risks are alarming for you:

• Nutritional deficiencies
• Weakened immune system
• Increased susceptibility to infections
• Poor muscle mass and strength
• Fertility issues
• Hormonal imbalances

Is BMI Different For Men And Women?

BMI is the same for Men and women as it has nothing to do with your sex. BMI is only related to the height and the weight of an individual. Following is the BMI chart for both men and women.

Is Your Child Safe? - BMI Chart For Teens And Children:

As I said earlier in the article, assessing child and teen BMI is a difficult task. However, the World Health Organization now possesses something interesting for all parents. They make a percentile chart on the basis of their keen obervartion.Now you can compare your child with others of the same age and gender.

How Adults Can Change Their BMI:

This article would be incomplete without a clear call to action. I want you to be more healthy and wealthy in your life. Following are the practical and effective tips for you:

1. Work On Your Diet:

• Try to eat low calorie food which leads you to weight loss.
• Eat diest with different nutrients which prevent you from overeating.

2. Drink A Lot water:

• Keeping hydrated helps us to do weight management.
• Drink water instead of highly-sugar-concentrated beverages.

3. Consult Nutritionist:

• Nutriennoist can address your emotional eating and help you to make better relationships with your food.
• Regular consultation with a nutritionist helps you to get motivated and on track.

6. Move Your Body:

• For a lasting impact on your physical and mental health, start practicing exercise daily.
• To see an improvement in your blood pressure and sugar level try 90 days of healthy life challenges.

Final Verdict:

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple numerical value that relates a person's weight to their height. It can provide a general indication of body mass, but it's not a perfect measure of overall health. BMI has limitations, such as not accounting for body composition or health factors. Being either underweight or overweight can have negative health consequences.