BMI and Obesity...

If you are anything like I was before I began Weight Watchers, you may not be certain what BMI actually is and why it is important to take into consideration.

BMI stands for Body Mass Index.  It is calculated based on a person’s weight and height.  It does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that it correlates to direct measures of body fat.  BMI is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight categories that may lead to health complications.

How can you find out what your BMI is?  There are a couple of ways.  There are lots of reliable BMI calculators online.  You simply enter in your weight and height, and they do the calculation for you.  Google "BMI Calculator" to find the sites that offer this tool.  If you want to figure it out yourself, the mathematical formula to use is to divide your weight in pounds by height in inches squared and multiply by a conversion factor of 703.

The standard weight status categories associated with BMI ranges for adults are as listed below…

BMI	Weight Status
Below 18.5	Underweight
18.5-24.9	Normal
25.0-29.9	Overweight
30.0 and Above	Obese

Here is a more specific BMI classification chart…

Classification	BMI
Severe Thinness	<16.00
Moderate Thinness	16.00-16.99
Mild Thinness	17.00-18.49
Normal Range	18.50-24.99
Overweight (Pre-Obese)	25.00-29.99
Obese Class I	30.00-34.99
Obese Class II	35.00-39.99
Obese Class III	40 & Up

I was interested in finding out the differences between the different levels of obesity since I at one point had been in the Class III category with a BMI of 41.09.

Class I Obesity means that you are at risk of developing health-related problems.  It is recommended to decrease your weight by 10% or more if you are in this category.

Class II Obesity puts you at a high risk of developing health-related problems, and you should see your doctor immediately.

Class III Obesity puts you at an extreme risk for health-related problems or even dying.  A doctor must be consulted to find an immediate solution.

Wow – sounds scary… but I do believe it is true.  I had high blood pressure due to being overweight.  I was put on a very high dosage to regulate my BP.  Once I was able to drop some weight, I was able to get off of my medication completely.  Also, when I gained weight during my pregnancy, it caused me to have to be induced early and be put on medication after Mya's birth.  Since dropping some of the pregnancy weight, I've already been able to get off of the medication again.  My current BMI is 33.02 (Obese Class I).  At my low weight point back in 2011, I had made it down into the Overweight category.  My goal weight will put me in the Normal BMI category.

While the BMI tool is fairly reliable, it shouldn’t be the only tool that you use to evaluate your health status.  It is important to measure your blood pressure, heart health, physical activity (or lack of), and abdominal girth.

BMI does not distinguish between muscle mass and fat mass.  A person who is very athletic and who weighs more due to muscle may have a BMI that indicates that they are overweight, when their weight is simply higher due to muscle mass.

Sources: Center for Disease Control & World Health Organization