The body mass index (BMI) calculates the height and weight of the person.Based on the person’s height, BMI is used to estimate a healthy body weight. It does not measure the percentage of the body weight.
It is the most widely used diagnostic tool which helps to identify weight problems such as overweight, underweight or obese.It is very easy to measure and calculate the weight of an individual. It was invented by Belgaian Polymath in 1830 to 1850.
Four Categories :-
Underweight:- A person is said to be underweight when the BMI shows less than the 5th percentile.
Healthy Weight:- A person is said to be healthy weight when the BMI shows greater than equal to 5th percentile but less than 85th percentile.
Overweight:- A person is said to overweight when the BMI shows greater than equal to 85th percentile but less than 95th percentile.
Obese:- A person is said to be obese when the BMI shows more than or equal to 95th percentile.
A child is said to be average when the BMI is at 50th percentile. If the child’s BMI is 85th to 94 th percentile, then the child is termed as obese.
How can Body Mass Index changes?
We Should always remember that the BMI is interpreted differently for men,women and children. Here, percentile is not used. They consider underweight,normal weight or obese. The reason is that at certain level, the adults stop growing and their age is not considered when it comes to weight. However, kids are on the growing age and they can gain weight during their childhood or in puberty.
How can Body Mass Index Fall Short?
BMI is not the only way to calculate when it comes to measure weight. It is possible that a muscular kid will have more weight and BMI but not body fat. It can also be possible that a kid is having body fat more but less muscle and ideal BMI.
Kids gain weight quickly during puberty. It is a good idea to go to your doctor and talk about your child’s ideal weight. If your child is having BMI high, then don’t get down. Talk to your doctor and ask him how to low down BMI. A kid can improve on BMI by doing exercise regularly and also by eating healthy food. Like adults, kids do not need to diet.
Controlling your weight will help you not to become overweight and you will not develop disease like heart problems and diabetes.It requires a little bit of effort to make your BMI normal.
