An Introduction to BMI
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a physical measurement used to assess an individual's total amount of body fat.
BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in Kilogram (kg) by your height in metres squared (m2). BMI is expressed as kg/m2.
Body Mass Index (BMI) measures body fat, using a formula based on weight and height. BMI is applicable to both adult women and men.
BMI is not suitable for children and may overestimate fat in heavily muscled body types and underestimate fat in the elderly. BMI is a good indicator for determining overweight in most people , however, it has limitations; BMI does not measure body composition.
- BMI does not take frame size or body fat and lean muscle mass ratios into account, accordingly, people with stockier, more muscular builds may be considered overweight according to BMI numbers even if they have a very healthy body fat percentage.
- HOWEVER, make no mistake about it, BMI applies to all big-boned people if their WAIST is larger than their HIPS. And BMI applies to EVERYONE regardless of bone structure or regardless of waist measurement, IF your body is soft and giggly, instead of tight and firm.
- The major failing of BMI is that someone in great shape with low body fat and plenty of lean muscle mass may show up as overweight, while someone with normal weight and a high body fat percentage, could show up in the "healthy range" regarding body weight. Clearly, both readings would be deceptive. The person with the lower body fat percentage would be in a much lower health risk category than the person with the higher body fat percentage, even though BMI results would indicate the opposite.
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