Why are BMIs useful ?

Why are BMIs useful?

It is the BMI is an inexpensive, simple screening instrument that can be used to detect concerns with weight in adults as well as children. It is a BMI estimation is an effective way to determine if someone needs more testing to discover the risk of heart disease. People who are at risk require more assessment. The assessment could include a the thickness of the skin fold test and diet, as well as physical activity degree, family history and other appropriate health screenings.

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Risks in connection with BMIs at extremes

BMI Being at risk of being overweight (with a BMI of 25 or above) or being underweight (with a BMI lower than 18.5) can have an impact on your health.

Overweight

People who are obese or overweight obese are at greater chance of developing diseases than people who are in the healthy weight range. The risk of getting sick increases when you increase your BMI. The people who are classified as overweight (BMI 25-29.9) are also likely to be considered obese and at an increased risk of illness. In the category 1 of obesity (BMI 30-34.9) it is considered to be moderate risk of developing the disease. It increases to severe and very serious risk at the stage of obesity 2 (BMI 35-39.9) as well as 3 (BMI greater than 40) and 3 (BMI >=40).

It is essential to keep in mind that BMI doesn't determine risk on its own. Other variables like the type of food one eats, how often they exercise and whether or not there's any history of diseases within their family can affect an individual's risk of disease. However as a group, overweight and obese individuals have a higher chance of developing many diseases.

They are at a significantly increased likelihood 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 are moderately at risk chance of:

Cardiovascular disorders (i.e. stroke, heart attack);
Gout /hyperuricaemia;
Osteoarthritis;
Respiratory diseases;
Hernia;
Psychological issues.

They are at a slightly higher likelihood of:

Some types of cancer (breast colon, endometrial and breast cancers);
Reproductive anomalies;
The impaired fertility
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome;
Skin complications;
Cataract;
Varicose veins;
Musculoskeletal issues;
Bad back;
Stress incontinence;
Oedema/cellulitis.

Underweight

People who are overweight may be undernourished. They also have an increased chance of developing health problems including:

Affected immune system, with an increase in susceptibility to infections;
Anaemia;
Osteoporosis;
Menstrual irregularities;
Unhealthy fertility.

What are the limitations of the BMI?

BMI Limitations related to BMI are: BMI are:

BMI is different based on age, gender, and race. Thus, one's BMI can only be compared to those of the same gender, age , and race.
BMI does not distinguish between muscle and fat and therefore will underestimate in some and overestimate for others (e.g. An athlete could have a high BMI because of a greater percentage of muscle and less fat).
Disabled or elderly people are less muscular and consequently, will have lower BMI. This doesn't necessarily mean that their weight isn't normal or even underweight.
Pregnant women will also have a higher BMI due to increased weight associated with pregnancy, but it is not necessarily due to the increase in fat. BMI does not accurately reflect the amount of body fat. Pregnancy BMI and weight gained during pregnancy should be considered when assessing a woman's weight and the need for exercise and nutrition interventions.
BMI does not differentiate between body fat distribution. Fat in the area around waist ("apple" body shape) is more dangerous than the hips ("pear" body shape) However, this risk is not considered as a result of BMI.

See your healthcare provider for additional physical measures that might have to be considered in conjunction with BMI to assess health risks associated with obesity.

Other ways to measure obesity

Table 2 Additional ways to measure obesity

Measure	Description
Waist circumference	The circumference of your waist (WC) is a good indicator of abdominal fat . It is a good indicator of health risks. It's measured by placing an unstratified tape measurement around the narrowest level of your waist. You can do this with light or no clothing.For males:> 94 centimeters (37 inch) - increased risk> 100 centimeters (40 inch) Significantly increased risk women: > 80 cm ( 31 inches) greater risk 88 cm (35 inch) A significantly higher risk also differs based on ethnicity and health risks are more severe with lower WC in certain ethnic groups like Aboriginal, Pacific Islander, South Asian, Chinese and Japanese populations.
Hip circumference	The hip circumference (HC) is determined by placing a piece of tape over the widest area of your hip , layered over the top of your clothes. HC is not useful on its own; usually it's used as a ratio with WC as previously mentioned.
Ratio of waist-hip	Waist to hip ratio (WHR) is the ratio of your waist circumference to hip circumference. For women, the average WHR is about 0.80 For men, it's 0.95.
Waist-height ratio	The ratio between waist and height is the ratio of the circumference of your waist to your height.

More information

To learn more about nutrition, such as information on types and composition of food in relation to nutrition and people, conditions related to nutrition such as diets and recipe, as well as some helpful videos and tools check out Nutrition.

For more details on the social and health effects of obesity as well as other issues related to it, and methods to lose weight as well as a few useful tools, check out weight loss.

References

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

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