Why are BMIs useful ?

Why are BMIs useful?

The BMI measure is an inexpensive and simple screening instrument employed to spot potential overweight issues for adults as well as children. BMI is an effective screening tool for children and adults. BMI measurement can be useful to assess who needs further tests to detect the risk of heart disease. The people who are at risk need an additional examination. Evaluations could include tests for the thickness of skin folds as well as diet, physical activity level, family history and other health screenings that are appropriate for the individual.

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Risks due to extreme BMIs

BMIBeing at risk of being overweight (with an BMI of more than 25) or underweight (with an BMI less than 18.5) can impact your health.

Overweight

People who are overweight and obese are at greater risk of developing disease than those who are in those who are in the normal weight range. The risk of disease increases with increasing BMI. The people who are classified as overweight (BMI 25-29.9) may also be considered to be pre-obese, and are at greater risk of developing disease. In the category 1 of obesity (BMI 30-34.9) you have a low risk of developing disease. This risk increases to severe and very severe risks at stages 2 of obesity (BMI 35-39.9) as well as 3 (BMI greater than 40) respectively.

It is important to note that BMI does not define risk only. Other factors like what is consumed, how often they exercise and whether or not there is any history of diseases within their families can also affect the risk of developing diseases for an individual. As a group people who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of numerous diseases.

They have a much higher risk of:

  • Type 2 Diabetes;
  • Gall bladder disease;
  • Hypertension;
  • Dyslipidaemia;
  • Insulin Resistance;
  • Atherosclerosis;
  • Sleep apnoea
  • Breathlessness
  • Asthma;
  • Depression and social isolation.
  • Sleepiness during the day and fatigue.

They have a moderately elevated probability of

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

They have a slightly higher possibility of:

  • Certain types of cancer (breast, colon and endometrial cancers);
  • Reproductive abnormalities;
  • Impaired fertility;
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome;
  • Skin problems;
  • Cataract;
  • Varicose veins;
  • Musculoskeletal disorders;
  • Bad back;
  • Stress incontinence;
  • Oedema/cellulitis.

Underweight

Individuals who are underweight may be deficient in nutrition. In addition , they're at an increased chance of developing health issues including:

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


What are the limitations of the BMI?

BMILimitations that are associated with BMI. BMI are:

  • BMI is different based on age, sexuality and race. Therefore, one's BMI cannot be compared to that of the same gender, age and race.
  • BMI doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle and will therefore underestimate in certain instances and overestimate for others (e.g. A person who is an athlete could have an elevated BMI because of the higher amount of muscle than fat).
  • Disabled or elderly people are less muscular and therefore , have an equivalence in BMI. It does not mean that they are overweight or not enough.
  • Pregnant women also will have a higher BMI due to weight gain that is associated with pregnancy, however, not necessarily because of increased fat. BMI will underestimate the body's fat levels in this instance. Pre-pregnancy BMI and weight increase during pregnancy must be used to assess a woman's weight and the need for exercise and nutritional interventions.
  • BMI doesn't distinguish between body fat distribution. The fat in the area around waist ("apple" figure) is more harmful than hips ("pear" body shape) However, this risk will not be picked up from the BMI.

Ask your doctor for other physical measurements that may need to be used alongside BMI for assessing health risk that are associated with obesity.


Other ways to measure overweight


Table 2 Additional indicators of obesity

Measure Description
Waist circumference The circumference of your waist (WC) is a great indicator of abdominal fat and is a good indicator of the risk of health problems. It is determined by placing an untretched tape around the narrowest point of your waist. It is measured over thin or no clothing.For men:> 94 (37 inches) - increased risk> 102 cm (37 inch) - increased risk> 100 centimeters (40 inch) Risk significantly higher women: > 80 cm ( 31 inches) Risk increase to 85 cm (35 inch) Risque can also vary based on your ethnicity and the risk of health is greater with a lower waist circumference within certain ethnic groups such as Aboriginal, Pacific Islander, South Asian, Chinese and Japanese populations.
The hip circumference Hip circumference (HC) is measured by putting a bandage around the widest portion of your hips, over the top of your clothing. HC isn't useful by itself; typically it's used as part of a ratio along with WC, as above.
Rapport between waist and hip Waist to Hip ratio (WHR) is the ratio of your waist circumference to your hip circumference. For females the normal WHR is around 0.80 in comparison to men it's 0.95.
Waist-height ratio The ratio between waist and height is the ratio of your waist circumference to height.

More information

For more details on nutrition, which includes information about the kinds of food available and the composition along with nutrition and individuals as well as conditions that relate to nutrition as well as diets and recipes in addition to useful tools and videos check out Nutrition.
For more details on weight loss, medical and social problems, as well as methods of losing weight and other useful methods, refer to The Weight Loss.

References

  1. 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[URL Link]
  2. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. About BMI for Adults. 2011. [cited April 14th, 2014.] Available from: 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 measures of central and general obesity , and the prediction of cardiovascular risk among women: a cross-sectional research study. BMJ Open. 2014: 4; e004138 doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004138 [Full Text]
  5. Snijder MB, van Dam RM, Visser M, Seidell JC. What aspects of body fat pose the greatest risk and how do we measure them? Int. J. Epidemiol. 2006;35(1):83-92. [Full Text]
  6. Gill T, Chittleborough C, Taylor A, Ruffin R, Wilson D. Body mass index as well as waist hip ratio as well as waist circumference what measure to classify the obese. Int J Public Health. 2003;48(3):191-200. [Full Text]
  7. Pouliot Mouliot Despers J Lemieux S, Moorjan S. Waist circumference and abdominal sagital diameter: best easy anthropometric indicators of the accumulation of abdominal visceral adipose tissue and the associated cardiovascular risk for men and women. Am J Cardiol. 1994; 73(7): 460-8. [Abstract]
  8. Schneider J, Glaesmer H, etal. Accuracy of anthropometric markers of weight to predict cardiovascular risk. J Clin Endocrinol. 2007; 92(2): 589-594. 789-594. Full text]
  9. Kunesova M, Hainer V, Hergetova H, Zak A. Simple anthropometric measurements-relation to body fat mass, visceral adipose tissues and atherogenesis risk factors. SB Lek. 1995; 96(3): 257-67. [Abstract]
  10. Seidell JC, Perusse L, Despres J-P, Bouchard C. Waist and hip circumferences show independent and opposite effects on coronary risk factors. The 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 when compared to other anthropometric indicators as a marker of components of metabolic syndrome of the elderly as seen in the Hoorn Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006; 84(5): 995-1002. [Abstract]
  12. Lean The Lean. Waist Circumference as an indicator for an indication of the need for weight control. BMJ 1995;311:158-161. [Full Text]
  13. Esmailzadeh A Mirmiran P, Azizi F. Waist-hip ratios are an ideal screening test for cardiovascular risk factors 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 April 14th, 2014.] Accessible via: URL Link]
  15. NHS Choices. Underweight Adults. 2012. [cited 14 April 2014]. Available at:

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