Body mass index (BMI) classification can help identify obesity or malnutrition in children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly.
In addition to knowing your BMI, this calculator also indicates what your ideal weight should be to reach your best shape. And thus improve your quality of life, ensuring your well-being.
What is BMI?
BMI is a parameter used to assess whether weight is within the ideal value for height. This means that, based on the BMI result. It is possible to know if the person is overweight or under the recommended weight and also to diagnose health problems such as obesity or malnutrition.
BMI can be used in children, adolescents, adults, or the elderly.
How is BMI calculated?
BMI is calculated by dividing weight (in kg) by height squared (in m), according to the following formula: BMI = weight / (height x height).
The BMI result is given in kg/m 2.
How to interpret the BMI result
After obtaining the BMI result, the value must be interpreted as follows:
- BMI value Classification
- Less than 18.5 kg/m 2 thinness
- 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m 2 Normal
- 25 to 29.9 kg/m 2 overweight
- 30 to 34.9 kg/m 2 Grade I obesity
- 35 to 39.9 kg/m 2 Grade II obesity
- Greater than 40 kg/m 2 Grade III obesity
According to the BMI result, it is also possible to predict the risk that each person has of developing chronic diseases. This is because the higher the BMI value, the greater the amount of fat accumulated in the body and the greater the risk of diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart problems.
Why is it important to know BMI?
Knowing the BMI is important to verify that the weight is in accordance with the person’s height, in addition to being important to know if there is a risk of developing any disease. In the case of children, BMI is important to know if development is as expected.
In addition, knowing the BMI, it is also possible to verify the ideal weight. Thus, knowing if the person is above or below the recommended weight for their height.
Is BMI the best way to assess weight?
Although BMI is considered essential to know a person’s nutritional status. It is a tool that does not take into account many other factors that are important to assess a person’s weight.
So, while it’s a good quick tool to see if your weight is right or not, it’s not the best way to assess your weight. For this, the ideal is to consult a doctor or nutritionist to evaluate other factors such as age, level of physical activity, body composition, hydration level, and health history, for example.
What to do to improve BMI?
To improve your BMI, it is important to check whether you are overweight or underweight. When the BMI is in the thin range, it is important to consult a nutritionist who will carry out a complete evaluation. Indicating a personalized food plan that prioritizes weight gain in a healthy way.
On the other hand, when the BMI is in the overweight or obese range. The nutritionist may recommend a reduced-calorie diet. In addition to diet, regular physical activity is also recommended, which will help speed up metabolism and facilitate weight loss, which directly influences BMI.
