When it comes to understanding our own health, the more knowledge we have, the better. This is especially true when it comes to our weight. Knowing your body mass index (calculate it here), or BMI, can help you understand where your current weight falls in the range of healthy weights, and whether or not you need to make any changes. Let’s break down what BMI is and how it can be used to help you reach your health goals.
What is BMI?
BMI stands for body mass index. It is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. It does not measure body fat directly but rather estimates it based on your height and weight. It is often used as an indicator of overall health because people with higher BMIs are at greater risk for certain diseases such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea and certain types of cancer.
It’s important to note that while BMI can provide useful information about a person’s health status, it does not take into account other factors such as age or muscle mass which may influence a person’s risk of developing certain diseases. For this reason, BMI should not be used as an absolute measure of one’s health; rather it should be used in conjunction with other factors such as diet and exercise habits in order to get a more complete picture of one’s overall health status.
Healthy Weight Goals & Managing Weight
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults maintain a healthy BMI between 18.5 – 25 kg/m2 in order to reduce their risk for certain diseases associated with being overweight or obese. If your BMI falls outside this range then you may want to consider making some lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity or eating healthier foods in order to achieve a healthier weight. Eating nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables along with lean proteins and whole grains will help you reach your goals without feeling deprived or hungry all the time!
Knowing your body mass index (BMI) is an important part of understanding your overall health status, but it should never be taken as absolute truth when considering if someone needs to make lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity or eating healthier foods in order to reach their desired weight goals. Rather than relying solely on BMI measurements for insight into one’s health status, use them alongside other factors including diet, exercise habits, age and muscle mass in order to get an accurate picture of one’s overall well-being. With this information at hand, people can make much more informed decisions about how best they can strive towards achieving optimal health!