Healthy BMI

A healthy BMI isn't a new concept. BMI is a statistical tool first developed in the mid 1800's by Belgium statistician and astronomer Adolphe Quetelet. Quetelet sought to mathematically define "overweight" and "obese" by numerically relating height to weight. Quetelet's BMI was part of his foundation for statistical analysis as it applies to social physics, or sociology. (So now we know who to blame for sociology!)

BMI was popularized more recently by health agencies in the 1950's and 1960's - again in relation to the classification of overweight, obesity and their related health problems. As in the 1800's, BMI was specifically used as a tool to define the overweight and obese. Think of BMI as a 'shorthand' way of identifying groups who are at risk as a result of carrying too much body fat.

Calculating BMI

BMI is the mathematical relationship between height and weight, specifically weight divided by height squared. The central assumption supporting BMI is that as weight increases in relation to height so does body fat. In other words, a heavier person at any given height is assumed to be a fatter person.

How to Measure BMI

Because there are only two "inputs" that determine BMI it's easy to measure. Here's how to calculate BMI.

BMI and Body Fat

The higher the BMI, the higher the body fat - right? This is a pretty simple and in most cases an accurate assumption. When extra weight comes from increased muscle mass standard BMI measurements do not apply.

For muscular people, a healthy BMI can be higher than the "standard" BMI for their height and weight.

Health and BMI

Here's the deal: health poo-bahs just about everywhere are convinced that excess fat is associated with increased incidence of chronic and acute disease:

Diabetes - Especially Type 2 Diabetes
High Blood Pressure
Stroke
Heart Disease
Cancer
Decreased Mobility and joint failure

I could add another dozen ailments to the list, but you get the idea... Too much body fat is a bad thing! (And we're not even talking about bathing suits and fat yet, are we?)

Your Ideal BMI

A quick review of BMI table will give you a target weight for your ideal BMI. A healthy BMI should be between 18.5 and 25. Anything under 18.5 for the average build person is too light, and anything over 25 is too heavy - unless you're a Bulgarian weightlifter!

How to Lower BMI

Short answer: Exercise more, eat less. Our urban lifestyles don't make for the BMI of our hunter-gatherer ancestors! Here's some tips to lower BMI:

Get Active to Lower BMI

Develop an exercise program that works for you. Start simple, and work your exercise routine into whatever small windows of opportunity you have in your day: Go for a short run in the morning if you live in a nice climate, or fire up full body aerobic exercise with an indoor rower. Even fifteen or twenty minutes of exercise has real benefits.

Get Smart to Lower BMI

Exercise lowers BMI and as a bonus add a smart diet plan to your BMI busting lifestyle for real results. Diet is just as important as exercise. Educate yourself about good diet choices, and eat for the long term.

Diet and Exercise

Make your own diet and exercise program. Own your plan, and work your plan. Here's a few tips to fit a workout into your busy schedule!

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