The problem of overweight and obesity is one of the global health issues at the level of pandemics and unequal access to health care. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2016 almost a quarter of the planet (1.9 billion people) was overweight and 650 million were obese. This is three times higher than in 1975. To draw attention to the problem of overweight, a " Global Strategy on Nutrition, physical activity and health”, which includes recommendations for curbing the global obesity epidemic, taking into account the cultural characteristics and interests of the population.
One of the primary and fastest household ways to determine whether it is relevant to a particular person overweight problem, considered body mass index (BMI). You can calculate your BMI with a special calculator - you just need to enter your height and weight in the appropriate "windows".
Body mass index
Body mass index (BMI) - a value that shows the ratio weight gain and whether this relationship is harmonious. With the help of BMI it is possible to make a rough conclusion about a person's complexion, whether he is overweight, not gaining it, or is within the conditional norm. For example, it is worth talking about being overweight if the figure is equal to or greater than 25, but the value of BMI => 30 or more indicates about obesity.
It is important to understand that the body mass index, relatively speaking, is only the first step in the assessment. Based on the obtained BMI value, if the figure is significantly outside the norm, additional surveys should be conducted and consultations with doctors or view food and physical activity. It is not correct to determine a person's state of health or to make a diagnosis based solely on BMI.
Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculation Formula
Another way to calculate body mass index is a special formula, which is the basis of online calculators. It was brought out in 1832 by the Belgian mathematician and statistician Adolf Kettle. But the formula for calculating BMI became widespread only 140 years later, when physiologist Ansel Case applied it in practice to study the parameters of a large group of people. Since then, this method of determination harmonious weight remains the most common and simplest.
To determine your BMI using the formula, you need to divide your body weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters.
BMI = WEIGHT / HEIGHT2
Summary table of values
The indicator obtained by the formula should be compared with the table of values recommended by the WHO:
< 16
16 - 18.5
18.6 - 25
25.1 - 30
30.1 - 35
35.1 - 40
> 40.1
Acute weight loss
Insufficient body weight
Norm
Excess body weight
Obesity of the first degree
Obesity of the second degree
Third degree obesity
BMI is only the first stage for assessment of body condition. Of course, this is the most versatile and simplest of all available medical methods. However, BMI has its limitations. In particular, age, gender, ethnicity or personal history are not taken into account. For example, athletes and very much physically active this method of determining BMI is not always suitable for people, because their weight may be greater due to heavier muscle mass than fat. And for children and adolescents in general have developed a separate calculator that takes into account more parameters, including gender and age.
BMI indicators that are closer to the norm should be taken as a recommendation to pay attention to physical shape, food and lifestyle. If the BMI falls into one of the two most critical values - the highest degree of obesity or acute weight loss - this is a clear reason to see a doctor immediately and undergo additional examinations, as it is almost impossible to get out of the critical BMI.
