Why are BMIs useful ?

Why are BMIs useful?

BMI is a BMI can be an easy, low-cost screening instrument that can be used to detect issues with weight for adults as well as children. The BMI measure can be helpful in determining who requires additional testing to determine risk factors for heart disease. People who are at risk require additional assessment. Evaluations could include the thickness of the skin fold test as well as diet, physical activity level, family history , and other health screenings that are appropriate for the individual.

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Risks related to BMIs that are extreme

BMIBeing or overweight (with an BMI of 25 or more) or being underweight (with an BMI less than 18.5) could affect your health.

Overweight

People who are overweight or obese are more at chance of developing diseases than those who are in normal weight. The risk of developing disease rises as you increase your BMI. People who are overweight (BMI 25-29.9) could also be considered to be pre-obese, and are at a higher risk of diseases. In the category 1 of overweight (BMI 30-34.9) it is considered to be moderate chance of developing disease. This risk increases to extreme and extremely severe risk in the stages of obesity 2 (BMI 35-39.9) or 3 (BMI > 40) and 3 (BMI >=40).

It is crucial to remember that BMI is not a risk factor by itself. Other aspects like what one eats, how often they exercise, and whether or not there's an history of illness within their families can also affect the risk of a person developing disease. As a whole people who are overweight or obese are at a higher risk of various diseases.

They are at a significantly increased chance of:

  • Type 2 Diabetes;
  • Gall bladder disease;
  • Hypertension;
  • Dyslipidaemia;
  • Insulin Resistance;
  • Atherosclerosis;
  • Sleep apnoea;
  • Breathlessness
  • Asthma;
  • Depression and social isolation;
  • Sleepiness during the day and fatigue.

They are at a moderately higher chance of:

  • Cardiovascular disorders (i.e. stroke, heart attack);
  • Gout /hyperuricaemia;
  • Osteoarthritis;
  • Respiratory diseases;
  • Hernia;
  • Psychological issues.

They are at a slightly higher chance of:

  • Certain types of cancer (breast colon, endometrial and breast cancers);
  • Reproductive disorders;
  • Infertility impairment;
  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome;
  • Skin problems;
  • Cataract;
  • Varicose veins;
  • Musculoskeletal issues;
  • Bad back;
  • Incontinence due to stress;
  • Oedema/cellulitis.

Underweight

People who are overweight may be undernourished. Additionally, they are at an increased chance of developing health issues, including:

  • Inflammatory dysfunction that is compromised and a higher susceptibility to infections;
  • Anaemia;
  • Osteoporosis;
  • Menstrual irregularities;
  • Infertility issues.


What are the limits of the BMI?

BMILimitations that are associated with BMI are: BMI are:

  • BMI is different based on age, gender and race. Therefore, one's BMI cannot be compared with those of the same gender, race and age.
  • BMI does not distinguish between fat and muscle, and therefore will underestimate in certain cases and overestimate in others (e.g. A person who is an athlete could have an elevated BMI due to a higher percentage of muscle, rather than fat).
  • People who are disabled or elderly have less muscle mass , and consequently, will have lower BMI. It does not mean that their weight is not normal or overweight.
  • Women who are pregnant will also be more obese BMI due to the weight gain due to pregnancy, but not always due to an increase in fat. BMI can underestimate the body's fat levels in this instance. Pregnancy BMI and weight increase during pregnancy should be considered when assessing the weight of a woman and the necessity for nutritional and exercise interventions.
  • BMI does not distinguish between the body's fat distribution. The fat in the area around waist ("apple" form) is more risky than fat around the hips ("pear" body shape) however, this is not reflected through the BMI.

Ask your doctor for other physical tests that might require to be taken alongside BMI to assess health risks that are associated with overweight.


Other indicators of overweight


Table 2 Other indicators of obesity

Measure Description
Waist circumference The circumference of your waist (WC) is an excellent gauge of abdominal fat and can be used to determine the risk of health problems. It is determined by placing an untretched tape around the narrowest point of your waist, over thin or no clothing.For males:> 94 centimeters (37 inch) Risk increase to 100 centimeters (40 inch) significantly increased risk women: > 80 cm ( 31 inches) Risk increase to 85 cm (35 inch) Risk is significantly increased is also affected by the ethnicity of the person and their health risk is more pronounced with a lower WC for certain ethnic groups, including Aboriginal, Pacific Islander, South Asian, Chinese and Japanese populations.
The hip circumference The hip circumference (HC) is determined by placing a tape on the largest part of your hips over the top of your clothes. HC isn't useful by itself; typically it is used to calculate an inverse ratio to WC, as described previously mentioned.
Ratio of waist-hip Waist to Hip ratio (WHR) is the ratio of your waist circumference to your hip circumference. For women, the average WHR is around 0.80 and for males it's 0.95.
Waist-height ratio The ratio of waist to height is the proportion of your waist circumference to height.

More details

For more information about nutrition, including details on the types of food and their composition as well as people and nutrition and conditions that affect nutrition as well as diets and recipes and some helpful videos and tools look up Nutrition.
For more details on the social and health effects of obesity as well as other issues related to it, as well as ways to lose weight, and other useful tools, visit the article Weight Loss.

References

  1. National Health and Medical Research Council. Clinical Management Guidelines for the treatment of obesity and overweight in children, adolescents, and adults in Australia. 2013. [cited 14 April 2014]. Available at: [URL Link[URL Link]
  2. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. About BMI for Adults. 2011. (cited on 14 April, 2014) Accessible at: URL Link]
  3. Keys A, Findanza F, KarvonenMJ, et al. Indices of weight relative and overweight. J Chron Dis. 1972; 25: 329-43. [Abstract]
  4. Goh LGH, Dhaliwal SS, Welborn TA, et al. Anthropometric measures of central and general obesity , and the prediction of the risk of cardiovascular disease in women: a cross-sectional research study. BMJ Open. 2014: 4; e004138 doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004138 [Full Text]
  5. Snijder MB, van Dam RM, Visser M, Seidell JC. What elements of body fat are especially dangerous and how can we determine their severity? Int. J. Epidemiol. 2006;35(1):83-92. [Full Text]
  6. Gill T, Chittleborough C, Taylor A, Ruffin R, Wilson D. Body mass index and waist hip ratio as well as waist circumference the three are the measures used to define overweight. Int J Public Health. 2003;48(3):191-200. [Full Text]
  7. Pouliot Mouliot Despers J, Lemieux S, Moorjan S. Waist circumference and abdominal sagital diameterare the most easy anthropometric indicators of the accumulation of abdominal visceral adipose tissue and cardiovascular risk both genders. Am J Cardiol. 1994; 73(7): 460-8. [Abstract]
  8. Schneider J, Glaesmer H, etal. The accuracy of anthropometric indicators of overweight to predict cardiovascular risk. J Clin Endocrinol. 2007; 92(2): 589-594. 2007; 92(2): 589-594. Full text]
  9. Kunesova M, Hainer V, Hergetova H, Zak A. Simple anthropometric measurements in relation to the body's fat mass, visceral adipose tissues and the risk factors for atherogenesis. SB Lek. 1995; 96(3): 257-67. [Abstract]
  10. Seidell JJ, Perusse L, Despres J-P, Bouchard C. Waist and hip circumferences exhibit independent and opposing effects on cardiovascular risk factors for cardiovascular disease: the Quebec Family Study. Am J Clin Nutr 2001; 74(3): 315-321. [ Full Text]
  11. Mukuddem-Petersen J, Snijder MB, et al. Sagittal abdominal size: no benefit compared to other measures of anthropometry as an indicator of the components of the metabolic syndrome in the elderly from the Hoorn Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006; 84(5): 995-1002. [Abstract]
  12. Lean A. Waist Circumference as a way of the need to manage weight. BMJ 1995;311:158-161. [Full Text]
  13. Esmailzadeh A, Mirmiran P, Azizi F. The waist-hip ratio is an effective screening tool for risk factors in the cardiovascular system than other anthropometric indicators Tehranian adult males. Int J Obesity 2004; 28: 1325-1332. [Ab`stract]
  14. Australian Government Department of Health. About Overweight and Obesity. 2009. (cited on 14 April, 2014) Accessible at: URL Link]
  15. NHS Choices. Underweight Adults. 2012. [cited 14 April 2014]. Available at:

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