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TrueNorth Explains Body Mass Index

posted by TrueNorth Employee Benefits on Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Body Mass Index (BMI) is regarded as a useful tool to determine and classify obesity. It measures body fat according to height and weight and correlates with a person's risk of disease and death. Calculating BMI is fast, easy and free - go to www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/BMI/bmicalc.htm to compute your BMI. 

BMI Score Classifications: 

• Below 18.5     Underweight
• 18.5 - 24.9      Healthy Weight
• 25.0 - 29.9      Overweight
• 30.0 - 40.0      Obese

BMI Limitations

Some health professionals are critical of BMI's inability to account for body type. Because it categorizes mass generically, it can overestimate body fat in people who are muscular and can underestimate body fat in persons who have lost muscle mass, such as the elderly. 

Improving your BMI Score

To stay healthy, you should always eat a variety of foods in proper portions. Consider the following tips: 

• Make healthy choices a habit. Eat well, move more, and get support from family and friends to achieve an overall healthy lifestyle. 
• Be realistic about your goals. If you try to reduce calories, fat, saturated fat, and sugar while also increasing exercise, you be setting yourself up for failure. Instead, set smaller, more realistic goals and add new ones as you are successful. 
• Keep a daily food and activity journal. Write down what you eat for meals and snacks, and keep track of any exercise you do. Also log where, when and what you are feeling when you eat to help you identify your hunger triggers, and determine if what you ate satisfied your hunger. 
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables each day. Fruits and vegetables help promote health and reduce the risk for major chronic diseases. The amount you should be eating depends on your age, sex, and activity level. 
• Get your fiber! High-fiber foods help you feel full. Whole grain cereals, legumes, vegetables, and fruits are a good source of fiber that will help you feel full with fewer calories. 
• Prepare and eat meals and snacks at home. You can save money, eat healthier, and spend quality time at home with family. 
• Be aware of proper portion sizes. Use a scale or measuring cup to be sure you are not eating too much of anything. 
• Take your time when you eat. Eat only when you are hungry, and enjoy the tastes, textures, and smells of what you are eating. Do not eat in front of the television. 
• Forgive yourself. You wouldn't be human if you didn't make mistakes along the way. Forgive your mistakes and keep working. 
• Remember physical activity. Most people need at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity five or more days per week. 

Using the BMI classifications, determine if you need to lose, maintain or gain weight. If you are overweight or obese, losing just 10 percent of your body weight can improve your health. Be sure to lose weight gradually; a loss of only one-half to two pounds per week is recommended.