Body Max Index - BMI - Weight Loss - Copacabana Runners

What is the Body Mass Index?

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a formula which indicates if an adult is overweight, obese or below the normal weight. The formula to calculate the Body Mass Index é: BMI = weight / (height)²

By the Body Mass Index who is considered overweight or obese?

First of all you need to be aware that the Body Mass Index is just an indicator. The World Health Organization uses a simple criteria:

Condition	BMI in adults
Below the weight	below de 18,5
Normal weight	18.5 - 25
Overweight	25 - 30
Obese	above 30

The advantage of the World Health Organization's system is that it is simple, with round number and easy to use.

There are other more complex criteria. The results of the NHANES II (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) indicated the adoption of the following criteria for americans:

Condition	BMI in women	BMI in men
Below the weight	< 19.1	< 20.7
Normal weight	19.1 - 25.8	20.7 - 26.4
Marginally overweight	25.8 - 27.3	26.4 - 27.8
Overweight	27.3 - 32.3	27.8 - 31.1
Obese	> 32.3	> 31.1

What are the weakness of the Body Mass Index system?

There are some problems in using the Body Mass Index to determine if the person is overweight. For example, muscular people may have a high Body Mass Index and not being overweight. The Body Mass Index system isn't applicable for children also.

Other problem is the impact of differences of the races and ethnics over the Body Mass Index. For example, a World Health Organization's technical counseling group concluded that people of asiatic origin could be considered overweight with a BMI of just 23.

Sources:
World Health Organization, MyDr.com.au, halls.md

This article has informational purpose and isn't a substitute for professional advice.

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