Why are BMIs useful ?

Why are BMIs useful?

It is the BMI BMI is an inexpensive, simple screening device for identifying potential concerns with weight in adults as well as children. A BMI measure is beneficial in determining whether someone requires additional testing to determine dangers to health, like heart disease. Risky individuals will require further assessment. Tests can include tests for the thickness of skin folds as well as diet, physical activity levels, family history and other relevant health screenings.

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Risks caused by BMIs with extremes

Being in either the overweight category (with a BMI that is 25 or higher) or in the weight range of underweight (with a BMI less than 18.5) could affect your health.

Overweight

People who are overweight or obese are at a higher likelihood of suffering from disease than people who are in an appropriate weight category. The risk of disease increases when you increase your BMI. Those classified overweight (BMI 25-29.9) could also be considered obese and more likely to develop diseases. In Category 1 obesity (BMI 30-34.9) the risk of developing a mild chance of developing the disease. It increases to severe or very severe risk at the stage of obesity 2 (BMI 35-39.9) as well as 3 (BMI > 40) respectively.

It is important to note that BMI does not define risk in and of itself. Other aspects like what is consumed, how often they exercise, and whether or not there's any medical history in their family also influences the risk of getting sick. As a group, overweight and obese individuals have an increased risk of numerous diseases.

They have a greatly increased probability of

• Type 2 Diabetes;
• Gall bladder disease;
• Hypertension;
• Dyslipidaemia;
• Insulin Resistance;
• Atherosclerosis;
• Sleep apnoea;
• Breathlessness
• Asthma;
• Depression and social isolation;
• Fatigue and daytime sleepiness.

They are moderately at risk probability of

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

They are at a slightly higher likelihood of:

• Some forms of cancer (breast, colon and endometrial cancers);
• Reproductive abnormalities;
• Unhealthy fertility;
• Polycystic-ovarian syndrome
• Skin problems;
• Cataract;
• Varicose veins;
• Conditions of the Musculoskeletal system;
• Bad back
• Incontinence due to stress;
• Oedema/cellulitis.

Underweight

Individuals who are underweight may be deficient in nutrition. In addition they have an increased chance of developing health conditions, such as:

• Compromised immune function with increased susceptibility to infections;
• Anaemia;
• Osteoporosis;
• Menstrual irregularities;
• The impaired fertility.

What is the limit of the BMI?

Limitations associated with BMI. BMI are:

• BMI differs with age, sexuality and race. This means that a person's BMI cannot be compared to those of the same sex, age and race.
• BMI does not differentiate between muscle and fat and , therefore, underestimates in some and overestimate for others (e.g. A person who is an athlete could have a high BMI because of greater amount of muscle, rather than fat).
• The elderly or disabled are less muscular and consequently have less muscle mass and a lower BMI. This doesn't necessarily mean that they are overweight or even underweight.
• Women who are pregnant will also have a higher BMI due to weight gain that is associated with pregnancy, however, not necessarily because of increased fat. BMI will overestimate the body's fat levels in this instance. Pregnancy BMI and weight gain during pregnancy should be used in assessing the woman's weight and determine the necessity for nutritional and exercise interventions.
• BMI does not distinguish between body fat distribution. The fat in the area around waist ("apple" appearance) is more harmful than fat around the hips ("pear" body shape), but this will not be detected as a result of BMI.

Check with your healthcare provider for additional physical measures that might require to be taken alongside BMI for assessing health risk that are associated with weight gain.

Other indicators of the obesity

Table 2 Additional ways to measure obesity

Measure	Description
Waist circumference	The circumference of your waist (WC) is an effective indicator of abdominal fat and is a good indicator of the risk of health problems. It's measured by placing an untight tape measure at the narrowest part of your waist over either light or none clothing.For males:> 94 (37 inches) - increased risk> 102 cm (37 inch) higher risk> 100 inches (40 inch) Risk significantly higher women:> 80 cm ( 31 inches) Risk increase to 88 cm (35 inch) Risque is also affected by race and ethnicity. Health risks are higher when you have a lower WC in certain ethnic groups including Aboriginal, Pacific Islander, South Asian, Chinese and Japanese populations.
Hip circumference	The hip circumference (HC) is measured by placing a piece of tape over the broadest part of your hips, over very little clothes. HC is not useful in its own right; generally it's used as a ratio with WC as above.
Waist-hip ratio	Waist to Hip ratio (WHR) is the ratio of your waist circumference to hip circumference. For women, the average WHR is approximately 0.80 in comparison to men it is 0.95.
Waist-height ratio	The ratio between waist and height is the ratio of the circumference of your waist to your height.

More details

For more information about nutrition, including details on the types of food and their composition along with nutrition and individuals, conditions related to nutrition, and diets and recipes as well as useful videos and other tools to help you, check out Nutrition.

For more details on overweight, social health, as well as methods for losing weight, and other useful tools, go to the article Weight Loss.

References

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