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  Category: Articles » Health & Fitness » Article
 

Body Mass Index Chart Misleading




By Jim O'Connor

Remember when the body mass index chart first came out? People
were running to calculators trying to find out if they are considered
overweight and unhealthy. Many, especially athletes, were quickly
shocked to find out they were labeled obese. I'm even talking
about lean professional athletes who were the picture perfect image
of strength, power, and health.

After calculating their body mass index (BMI), many were shocked to
find out their calculated number indicated a detriment to their health.
So how do you calculate this number anyway? First off, you can be
lazy and go to consumer.gov/weightloss/bmi.htm, and have the
computer tell you the answer. However, if you want to calculate it
yourself simply multiply your weight in pounds by 703 then divide
the square of your height in inches. It is that simple.

Now after using a body mass index calculator you get your big
number. What does it mean? In most cases, not a heck of a lot.
First of all, your BMI doesn't distinguish muscle from fat. You could
have a body fat percentage of 8%, with a lot of added muscle, and
the body mass index chart will say you are obese, and could be at risk
for significant health issues. Now let's take the opposite. Suppose you
have never exercised a day in your life and your body fat is 30%, but you
weight less than the fit person with an 8% level of body fat. The BMI
chart might suggest your weight is right where it should be, and
you are at very little risk for health challenges.

This is where the BMI Chart is misleading. Recent studies have
even shown a weak and inconsistent correlation between a high
BMI and disease or early mortality.

How then can we get an accurate assessment of our link between
weight, and disease? My recommendations are to incorporate
a multiple assessment such as the following:

1. Body fat percentage should be calculated and considered.

2. Take measurements of you waist, hips, and height.
Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio, divide the waist measurement
by the hip measurement. Men should be under 0.9, and women
should be under 0.8. A good guideline for men is to keep their
waists well under 40 inches, and women under 35 inches.
Your waist should be one half your height. Now these are rough
estimates since many factors go into determining your risk
level. For instance, how much exercise do you get? What
type of foods do you consume?

However, If your numbers are not in the zone mentioned above, it is
time to take action and start exercising and cutting back on
calories.

Always consider your body fat percentage versus your lean
muscle tissue. Keep the body fat as low as possible,
preferably under 30% for both men and women.

Don't rely on the body mass index charts to dictate your
chance for disease. Use the multiple approach I have
outlined above. It is an intelligent approach for aiding your health
and well-being.

*** Attention: Ezine Editors / Website Owners ***
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine, Blog,
Autoresponder, or on your website as long as the links, and resource
box are not altered in any way.

Jim O'Connor - Exercise Physiologist / The Fitness Promoter

Copyright (c) - Wellness Word, LLC
9461 Charleville Blvd. #312
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
1-866-935-5967
http://www.WellnessWord.com
 
 
About the Author
Jim O'Connor is known as the fitness promoter for his passion
and dedication in promoting the health and fitness truth. After
personally coaching Beverly Hills celebrities for 15 years, he
decided to bring his knowledge to the streets by publishing
Wellness Word Multimedia Newsletter. Health and fitness
enthusiasts who want an unfair results advantage need to
claim their FREE multimedia subscription of Wellness Word right now!

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