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As the New Year approaches it is important to take stock of oneself and ones health. The BMI indicator allows one to see a picture of how one may be doing regarding height to weight ratio.
There is some debate as to this methods accuracy as muscle and fat are two different aspects of our overall mass. A way of determining the difference however is in the end purely visual, fat looks (and feels) very different to muscle. The BMI indicator is a useful way of determining just how much excess body fat you have and can act as a guide to getting you toward a more healthy size.
As well as overall height to weight it is important to look at location of fat. Too much fat around the middle of the body has been linked to health risks.
As we go into the New Year it is useful to think seriously about how our health may affect us (and our loved ones) and do a quick risk assessment.
Tap in your height and weight and let our BMI calculator track your progress. Make sure 2010 is the year you strive to get into your safe zone on the chart.
What your result means
BMI 18.5-24.9
Well done for being in the ideal weight-for-height range. But remember that it's still important to eat a healthy diet if you want to stay in that range, and to ensure that your body has all the nutrients it needs. A BMI below 18.5 is a health risk and too low for optimal health.
BMI 25.0-29.9
Your weight is just above the ideal range. That's fine if you're a keen athlete with plenty of body muscle, but if this isn't the reason for your higher BMI, your health is beginning to suffer from the extra stored fat. Check your diet and make small changes to prevent more weight gain, and to help lose the extra weight.
BMI 30.0-34.9
This is a wake-up call: change your diet now. You are at a much higher risk of developing ill-health due to your weight. You're 10 times more likely to get diabetes, and your weight is increasing your risk of arthritis, heart disease and some cancers. Your weight means you have a shorter life expectancy, and weight-related health concerns will reduce your quality of life. Remember, even a 5-10% weight loss will have a major benefit on your health. So what are you waiting for?
BMI 35.0+
It's likely that you already know that your weight is seriously affecting your health. You're at raised risk of heart disease, stroke and premature death. In addition to making lifestyle changes, you should discuss your weight issues with your GP or district nurse, as you may need the additional support of a health professional.
Make sure you take a look at our High BMI workouts, tailored to those of you that want to do something about your weight, but don't know where to start.
Also take a look at downloading our fit pack, where you can print out the BMI chart.
Results synopsis from the NHS website
