Body Mass Index

• Body mass index also known as Quetelet Index is a statistical measure of the weight Of a person measured according to height.
• Body mass index for people is generally a consistent indicator of body obesity.
• The body fat is not calculated through Body mass index, but according to research Body mass index associates to direct calculation of body fat.

For example: In comparison to dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and underwater weighing, Body mass index can be considered a substitute option for direct calculation of body fat.

• Body mass index is also an economical and simple-to-execute procedure of screening for weight Categories that guide to health tribulations.

History of Body Mass Index:

• Body mass index was invented by the Belgian polymath Adolphe Quetelet between the years 1830 And 1850.
• In the year 1950 and 1960s Body mass index became widely known as stoutness started to Become a distinct problem in affluent Western society
• Usually for a certain given height the Body mass index is comparative to weight.

For example: When the body weight increases by 50%, Body mass index also enhances by 50%. Body mass index for children

• Body mass index is utilized in various ways for various children and measured in identical method just like in adults.
• Body mass index percentile permits contrast with children of the same sex and age except Underweight and overweight.

For example: Children generally with a calculated Body mass index between the 85th and 95th percentile are regarded to be at jeopardy of becoming overweight and a Body mass index calculated less than 5th percentile is measured to be underweight.

• Latest researches in England reveal that girl child between the age group of 12 to 16 Years have a higher Body mass index than males by 1.0 kg/m² on average.

Significances of Body mass index

• Body mass index provides an easy numeric calculation of a person's "obesity" or "slenderness", Permitting health professionals to converse over- and under-weight ailments with the Patients.
• It is meant to be utilized as an easy procedure of categorizing sedentary individuals With an average body composition.

For example: normal Body mass index weight of an individual would be 18.5 to 25.

• Body mass index lower than 18.5 is considered as underweight for adult
• Body mass index more than 25 is regarded as overweight
• Body mass index below 17.5 indicates the person might suffer from anorexia
• Body mass index above 30 proposes the person is obese
• Body mass index is utilized as a process of correspondence between groups linked by general Mass and can provide as an indistinct means of approximation adiposity.
• Body mass index is an apposite for recognizing trends within overweight or sedentary Individuals as the margin for error is negligible.
• The development of children is recognized against a Body mass index -scaled growth chart.
• The trends of fatness can be measured from the difference between the child's Body mass index And the Body mass index on the chart.
• Since the year 1980 Body mass index has been utilized by WHO for the standard of recording Obesity
• Body mass index is also used in United States as a measure of underweight as people suffer from eating disarrays like bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa.
• Body mass index can be measured rapidly and no pricey equipment is required.

Procedure of using Body mass index

• Body mass index is considered as a screening device to recognize possible weight tribulations for Human beings. But Body mass index cannot be regarded as the diagnostic device.
• To indicate an individual's health body weight is the ideal option.
• Generally it is compared to charts that register "ideal" or "desirable" weight ranges for specific heights.

Measurement of Body mass index

• Body mass index is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters Squared and multiplying by 100.
• It can also be measured by dividing weight in pounds by height in inches squared and Multiplying by 705.
• For estimating the Body mass index certain features of an individual is required to be initially identified.
• The characteristics gender, age, ethnicity, and level of fitness must be considered When utilizing Body mass index to find out health hazard.
• Tables are obtainable to recognize the importance of the Body mass index.
• Calculations are based on values for ideal body weight which recommends the Body mass index for standard men and women should be in the range of 19 to 27 kg/m2.