Showing posts with label body fat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label body fat. Show all posts

Friday, January 9, 2009

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Do you know your BMI? Do you know how to measure your BMI? Does it really matter?

BMI is the measure of body fat based on your height and weight. This is simple and generally reliable means to find the fatness of a person but does not actually measure body fat. So as such, based on your body type, this calculation is more likely show your BMI has being over weight or worse.

http://www.jennycraig.com

BMI is a tool used to screen people for possible weight problems. This makes it important for a snapshot of your general health. That being said, it is after all only a tool and is not the end all be all to gage everyone's specific health. Muscle weighs more than fat, so if you have a significant amount of muscle mass then your BMI will read as higher.

The CDC offers a great resource for understanding weight and the BMI. They also discuss measuring the BMI of both adutls and children (20 years old and younger).

http://www.cdc.gov

If your BMI is measured as overweight of higher, I urge you to consult your physician for professional medical evaluation. This also goes for people who are looking to begin a fitness regiment to prevent serious injures.