Why are BMIs useful ?

Why are BMIs useful?

It is the BMI measure is an inexpensive, simple screening tool that can be used to detect concerns with weight in adults as well as children. BMI is an effective screening tool for children and adults. BMI measurement is an effective way to determine if someone needs further testing to identify the risk of heart disease. Risky individuals will require further assessment. The assessment could include a measurements of the thickness of the folds of the skin food, diet, exercise levels, family history and other relevant health screenings.

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Risks due to extreme BMIs

BMIBeing obese (with a BMI over 25) or in the weight range of underweight (with an BMI less than 18.5) can have an impact on your health.

Overweight

People who are overweight or obese have a greater risk of getting sick than people who are in normal weight. The risk of disease increases with an increase in BMI. Those classified overweight (BMI 25-29.9) can also be considered pre-obese and are at greater risk of diseases. In the category 1 of overweight (BMI 30-34.9) you have a low risk of developing disease. The risk of getting sick increases to severe and very severe risk when obesity stage 2 (BMI 35-39.9) in 3 (BMI >=40) respectively.

It is crucial to remember that BMI is not a risk factor in and of itself. Other factors such as what one eats, how much they exercise and whether or not there is a history of disease within their families can also affect the risk of getting sick. As a group people who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of several diseases.

They are significantly at risk risk of:

  • Type 2 Diabetes;
  • Gall bladder disease
  • Hypertension;
  • Dyslipidaemia;
  • Insulin Resistance;
  • Atherosclerosis;
  • Sleep apnoea;
  • Breathlessness
  • Asthma;
  • Social isolation and depression;
  • Fatigue and daytime sleepiness.

They have a moderately elevated risk of:

  • Cardiovascular diseases (i.e. stroke, heart attack);
  • Gout /hyperuricaemia;
  • Osteoarthritis;
  • Respiratory disease;
  • Hernia;
  • Psychological problems.

They have a slightly increased risk of:

  • Different types of cancer (breast colon, endometrial and breast cancers);
  • Reproductive abnormalities;
  • Impaired fertility;
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome
  • Skin issues;
  • Cataract;
  • Varicose veins;
  • Musculoskeletal issues;
  • Bad back
  • Incontinence due to stress
  • Oedema/cellulitis.

Underweight

The person who is overweight could be undernourished. In addition , they're at an increased chance of developing health conditions, such as:

  • Inflammatory dysfunction that is compromised and a higher susceptibility to infections
  • Anaemia;
  • Osteoporosis;
  • Menstrual irregularities;
  • Unhealthy fertility.


What do you think are the limits of BMI?

BMILimitations associated with the BMI are:

  • BMI is different by age, gender and race. Therefore, one's BMI cannot be compared to that of the same gender, age , and race.
  • BMI does not differentiate between muscle and fat which is why it will underestimate some cases, and overestimate in other (e.g. An athlete may have a high BMI due to a higher percentage of muscle and less fat).
  • Disabled or elderly people have less muscle mass , and therefore , have an equivalence in BMI. This does not necessarily mean that their weight is not normal or underweight.
  • Pregnant women will also have a higher BMI due to increased weight that is associated with pregnancy, however, not necessarily due to increased fat. BMI does not accurately reflect the amount of fat in the body in this scenario. Pre-pregnancy BMI and weight growth during pregnancy must be used to assess an individual's weight, as well as the necessity for nutritional and exercise interventions.
  • BMI does not distinguish between body fat distribution. The fat in the area around waist ("apple" physique) is more risky than that around the hips ("pear" body shape), but this will not be analyzed from the BMI.

Ask your doctor for additional physical measures that might have to be considered in conjunction with BMI in order to evaluate health risks caused by weight gain.


Other ways to measure overweight


Table 2: Other measures of obesity

Measure Description
Waist circumference Waist circumference (WC) is a reliable indicator of abdominal fat and can be used to determine health risks. It's measured by placing an unstratified tape measurement around the narrowest portion of your waist. This is done over light or no clothing.For males:> 94 centimeters (37 inch) Risk increase to 102 cm (40 inch) Risk significantly higher women: > 80 cm ( 31 inch) - increased risk> 80 cm (31 inch) - increased risk> 88cm (35 inch) Risk is significantly increased also differs based on the ethnicity of the person and their health risk is more pronounced with a lower WC within certain ethnic groups such as Aboriginal, Pacific Islander, South Asian, Chinese and Japanese populations.
Hip circumference Hip circumference (HC) is measured by placing a piece of tape over the widest part of your hip area over some clothes. HC cannot be used as a stand-alone measurement; instead, it is used to calculate an inverse ratio to WC, as described previously mentioned.
Waist-hip ratio Waist to hip ratio (WHR) is the ratio of your waist circumference to hip circumference. The normal WHR for females is around 0.80 For men, it's 0.95.
Waist-height ratio The ratio between waist and height is the proportion of your waist circumference to height.

More details

For more details on nutrition, which includes information about the kinds of food available and the composition along with nutrition and individuals with health issues such as diets and recipe as well as useful videos and other tools for nutrition, visit Nutrition.
For more details on problems with obesity and other health issues as well as social, as well as methods to lose weight as well as some useful tools, go to weight loss.

References

  1. National Health and Medical Research Council. Clinical Management Guidelines for the management of overweight and obesity in adults, adolescents and children in Australia. 2013. [cited 14 April 2014]. Available from [URL Link]
  2. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. About BMI for Adults. 2011. [cited as 14 April 2014] Accessible via: URL Link]
  3. Keys A, Findanza F, KarvonenMJ, et al. Indices of weight-to-weight ratio and obesity. J Chron Dis. 1972; 25: 329-43. [Abstract]
  4. Goh LGH, Dhaliwal SS, Welborn TA, et al. Anthropometric measurements of central and general obesity , and the prediction of cardiovascular disease risk in women: a cross-sectional investigation. BMJ Open. 2014: 4; e004138 doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004138 [Full Text]
  5. Snijder MB, van Dam RM, Visser M, Seidell JC. What body fat-related aspects are particularly hazardous and how do we know? Int. J. Epidemiol. 2006;35(1):83-92. [Full Text]
  6. Gill T, Chittleborough C, Taylor A, Ruffin R, Wilson D. Body mass index, waist hip ratio, and waist circumference: what indicate the degree of obesity. Int J Public Health. 2003;48(3):191-200. [Full Text]
  7. Pouliot Ma, Despers J, Lemieux S, Moorjan S. Waist circumference and abdominal sagital diameter: the most simple anthropometric markers of the accumulation of abdominal visceral adipose tissue and cardiovascular risk women and men. Am J Cardiol. 1994; 73(7): 460-8. [Abstract]
  8. Schneider J, Glaesmer H, etal. Accuracy of anthropometric indicators of obesity to predict cardiovascular risk. J Clin Endocrinol. 2007; 92(2): 589-594. The journal's 92(2) issue was 589-594. Full text]
  9. Kunesova M, Hainer V, Hergetova H, Zak A. Simple anthropometric measurements-relation to visceral adipose tissues and the risk factors for atherogenesis. SB Lek. 1995; 96(3): 257-67. [Abstract]
  10. Seidell JJ, Perusse L, Despres J-P, Bouchard C. Waist and hip circumferences show independent and contradictory effects on cardiovascular risk factors. Quebec Family Study. Am J Clin Nutr 2001; 74(3): 315-321. [ Full Text]
  11. Mukuddem-Petersen J, Snijder MB, et al. Sagittal abdominal size: no benefit over other anthropometric measures to be a marker of components of the metabolic syndrome in older adults from the Hoorn Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006; 84(5): 995-1002. [Abstract]
  12. Lean The Lean. Waist Circumference as an indicator for the need to manage weight. BMJ 1995;311:158-161. [Full Text]
  13. Esmailzadeh A Mirmiran P, Azizi F. The waist-hip ratio is an excellent screening indicator for risk factors in the cardiovascular system than other anthropometric indicators in Tehranian adult males. Int J Obesity 2004; 28: 1325-1332. [Ab`stract]
  14. Australian Government Department of Health. About Overweight and Obesity. 2009. (cited on 14 April, 2014) Retrieved from:[ URL Link]
  15. NHS Choices. Underweight Adults. 2012. [cited 14 April 2014]. Available at:

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