What Is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Body mass index (BMI) is a term that’s commonly used to measure an individual’s overall fat based on their height and weight. Although it isn’t entirely accurate, it’s still a good technique to determine whether or not you need to lose weight. If your BMI falls beyond a “normal” range for your height, you’ll need to take the necessary action to try and lose some of the excess weight. For a better understanding of BMI and how to improve yours, keep reading.

BMI was first developed back in the early to mid 1800s by Adolphe Quetelet. The formula is simple, but it proved to be an effective measurement for the body’s fat content. Quetlet defined BMI as an individual’s weight divided by their height squared. Don’t worry if this formula is too confusing for you; there dozens of free-to-use BMI calculators online. If you are want to identify your body fat, simply do a Google search for “BMI calculator.”

Importance of BMI

BMI is important because it helps to measure your overall fat content. Obesity is a growing concern here in the US that contributes to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and a variety of other conditions. According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 3 adults are considered obese. Some states, such as Texas and Alabama, experience obesity levels higher than 33%. These numbers are shocking to say the least, which is why we must take action now to help reduce them.

Monitoring your BMI is the first step in identifying weight problems. If you weigh more than the “healthy”amount for your height, your BMI will notify you of this. Some people may simply want to live in denial of their weight problems, but this only makes things worse. In order to get your life back on track, you must take the initiative to tackle your weight problem head on. Only then will you be able to live a stress-filled life at a healthy weight.

Ways To Improve Your BMI

So, how can you improve your BMI? First and foremost, it’s important to note that there are several different categories of BMI – underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese. Ideally, you should fall under the “normal weight” category, meaning you weigh a healthy amount based on your height. If you are underweight, however, you’ll need to work on building mass by eating a healthy, well-balanced diet.

Improving an “overweight” or “obese” BMI is by far the most challenging, but it can still be done if you put forth the effort. Because BMI is a measurement of excess fat, cardiovascular workouts tend to have the most effect at lowering it. Try to incorporate a greater amount of cardiovascular into your daily exercise routine. Perhaps you can go for a jog around the neighborhood, or you could hit the basketball courts with a friend for an hour. Either way, you must keep your heart rate up to burn out all of those calories.