What is the use of body mass index?
El Body Mass Index (IMC), o Body Mass Index en inglés (BMI) estimates the ideal weight of a person depending on their size and weight. The body mass index is valid for an adult man or woman (18 a 65 years old).
The IMC also called Quetelet index (invented by Belgian scientist Jacques Quetelet, 1796-1874). The World Health Organization (WHO) defined the BMI as the standard for assessing the risks associated with excess weight in adults.
Too fat, too skinny ... appreciation is often a matter of fashion and Personal Printing. El Body Mass Index BMI es, however, much more reliable. It is the result of a calculation of weight and height and evaluates the potential health risks. Fashion is one thing, Health is another ...
Use the table below to see which category fits your BMI and if necessary to worry about the weight:
Body mass index CATEGORY
- Underneath 18.5 Under ideal weight
- 18.5 a 24.9 Healthy Weight
- 25.0 a 29.9 Overweight
- 30.0 a 39.9 Obese
- Above 40 Morbid obesity
The BMI is not always an accurate way to determine if you need to lose weight. Here are some exceptions:
- Physical culturists: because muscle weighs more than fat, people who are unusually muscular may have a high body mass index.
- Elderly: in old age, it is often better to have an index between 25 and 27 instead of a lower index 25. It is a person, for example, is greater than 65 years old, index slightly higher BMI may help protect against osteoporosis.
- Children: although a large number of children are obese, do not use this BMI calculator for evaluating a child. Talk to your pediatrician about the appropriate weight according to the age of your child.
Doctors use several different methods to determine if you are overweight. Also, your doctor may consider the waist circumference and waist-to-hip.