Your body weight can tell you something about your health but looking at the number on a weighing scale does not always give you the complete picture. One of the measurements healthcare professionals can use as part of a general health assessment is Body Mass Index, commonly known as BMI.
Dr. Githinji from Gardens Arcade Health Centre explains why knowing your BMI can be useful and how it can help people become more aware of their health.
What Is BMI?
BMI is a measurement calculated using a persons weight and height. It is commonly used as a screening tool to place adults into weight categories.
For adults BMI is generally calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in metres squared:
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)²
For example someone who weighs 70 kilograms and is 1.75 metres tall would have a BMI of 22.9.
For adults BMI is commonly interpreted using the following ranges:
- Below 18.5: Underweight
- 18.5–24.9: Weight range
- 25.0–29.9: Overweight
- 30.0 or above: Obesity
However Dr. Githinji emphasizes that BMI is not a diagnosis by itself. It is one tool that healthcare professionals can use alongside measurements and information.
Why Should You Check Your BMI?
One important reason to check your BMI is that it can provide an indication that your weight may be outside the range generally associated with lower health risks.
Being significantly underweight can sometimes be associated with nutrition certain medical conditions or other health concerns. On the hand having a BMI in the overweight or obesity ranges can be associated with an increased risk of several chronic diseases.
Knowing your BMI can therefore encourage you to pay attention to your health before problems become more serious.
BMI Can Help Identify Potential Health Risks
A BMI particularly when it reflects excess body fat is associated with an increased risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and some other health problems.
This does not mean that everyone with a BMI will develop these conditions. It means that BMI can be one of indicators that may prompt a person to have a more complete health assessment.
Similarly someone with a BMI within the called healthy range is not automatically free from health problems.
This is why Dr. Githinji encourages people to look at BMI as part of a health picture rather than treating it as a final verdict about their health.
BMI Is Not the Whole Story
One of the important things to understand about BMI is that it does not directly measure body fat.
For example a person who exercises regularly and has a lot of muscle may have a high BMI even though they have a healthy level of body fat. Athletes and people with muscle mass are examples where BMI may need to be interpreted carefully.
BMI also does not show where fat is stored in the body.
This is important because abdominal or visceral fat can be particularly relevant to metabolic health. Healthcare professionals may therefore consider measurements, such as waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels.
Age, sex, medical history, lifestyle and other factors can also influence an individuals health risk.
Checking BMI Can Encourage Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Another benefit of knowing your BMI is that it can motivate you to examine your habits.
If your BMI suggests that your weight may be higher than recommended it can be an opportunity to discuss nutrition, physical activity and other lifestyle factors with a healthcare professional.
Healthy changes do not necessarily mean following diets or trying to lose weight as quickly as possible.
Instead sustainable habits can include eating a diet increasing physical activity getting adequate sleep reducing excessive consumption of highly processed foods and maintaining regular health check-ups.
For someone who's underweight checking BMI can similarly encourage a conversation about whether they are getting enough calories and nutrients or whether there could be an underlying health issue.
BMI Can Be a Starting Point for a Health Check
Perhaps the useful way to think about BMI is as a starting point.
When you visit a healthcare centre such as Gardens Arcade Health Centre, a healthcare professional can use your BMI with other information to build a clearer picture of your health.
Depending on your circumstances a healthcare professional may recommend assessments such as blood pressure measurement, blood sugar testing, cholesterol testing or other examinations.
This approach is more useful than focusing on weight alone.
Don't Wait Until You Feel Sick
Many chronic health conditions can develop gradually without obvious symptoms in their early stages.
A person may feel well while having elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar or other risk factors.
That is why routine health checks can be valuable when you feel healthy.
Checking your BMI is a measurement that can be included in a broader health assessment and may encourage you to investigate other aspects of your health.
What Should You Do If Your BMI Is High or Low?
If you calculate your BMI and discover that it is outside the recommended range don't panic.
BMI is a screening measurement, not a diagnosis.
The next step should be to discuss the result with a healthcare professional. They can consider your circumstances and determine whether further assessment is appropriate.
Avoid taking measures based solely on a BMI number. Extreme dieting, excessive exercise or taking weight-loss products can create additional health risks.
Instead focus on evidence-based, lifestyle changes and seek professional guidance where necessary.
Your Health Is More Than a Number
Dr. Githinjis message is an one: BMI can be useful but it should not define you.
A persons health cannot be accurately summarized by a number. BMI is most useful when combined with measurements and a professional assessment.
The goal of checking your BMI should not be to judge your appearance or body shape. It should be to increase awareness of your health and identify areas where you may benefit from evaluation.
Whether your BMI is low within the recommended range or high the most important thing is understanding what the measurement means in the context of your individual health.
Conclusion
Checking your BMI is a way of gaining more information about your weight in relation to your height. It can help identify people who may benefit from a detailed health assessment and can encourage healthier lifestyle choices.
However BMI has limitations. Should not be used on its own to diagnose illness or determine someones overall health.
As Dr. Githinji from Gardens Arcade Health Centre explains, understanding your health starts with awareness. Regular health checks, a balanced lifestyle and conversations with healthcare professionals can all play an important role in maintaining good health.
So when was the last time you checked your BMI?
Don't wait until you develop symptoms to start paying attention to your health. A simple health check today could be a step toward understanding your body and making informed decisions, about your wellbeing.
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