Do I Weigh Too Much?
How much is too much hasbeen a matter of debate among professionals as well as regular folks for years. Latest statistics have shown that even a 15 percent reduction in body weight can lower risk of a heart/health-related incident by as much as 35 percent. Our body image may not be as accurate as we would like in assessing whether we are obese or merely overweight. Some of us think of ourselves as bigger or smaller than we really are. Weight by itself is not enough to assess relative size. Most professionals now use body mass index to assess levels of thinness or obesity.
Body Mass Index, BMI for short, is a number calculated from your weight that takes into account your height. The actual formula is weight in kilograms (there are 2.2 kilograms in one pound) divided by height in centimeters squared. This method now replaces the old insurance height weight charts. It still involves only height and weight, so people who are particularly muscular or particularly “heavy-boned” are not going to fit the categories as well. Pregnant and nursing women, teens and the elderly do not fit the categories well either. Childhood obesity is assessed with growth charts that include height, weight and age.
There is still some argument among researchers and physicians as to what BMI fits what categories of obesity. We use the categoried defined by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute for our calculator. The higher the number, the more you are at risk for obesity`s complications, such as high cholesterol, heart problems, diabetes, sleep apnea, problems with mobility and many other life-limiting complications.
For Adults,those with a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 are considered “just right.” Those with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight with some increased risk, and those with a BMI in the 30 to 34.9 range are considered to be in the Stage I or moderate risk Obesity class. The risk increases dramatically in Stage II Obesity with a BMI of 35 to 39.9. Stage III Obesity is also called Morbid Obesity with a BMI greater than 40 and is associated with an extremely high risk of obesity`s complications.
Our BMI calculator can be found in the top right corner of this web site.
