Why are BMIs useful ?

Why are BMIs useful?

It is the BMI can be an easy and inexpensive screening instrument employed to spot potential concerns with weight in adults and children. It is a BMI estimation is an effective way to determine if someone needs further testing to identify dangers to health, like heart disease. Individuals at risk will need further assessment. Tests can include skin fold thickness test along with diet, physical activity level, family history , and other health screenings that are appropriate for the individual.

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Risks caused by BMIs with extremes

BMIBeing either overweight (with a BMI of more than 25) or in the weight range of underweight (with an BMI lower than 18.5) could affect your health.

Overweight

People who are overweight or obese are at greater risk of getting sick than those in those who are in the normal weight range. The risk of developing diseases increases as one increases BMI. The people who are classified as overweight (BMI 25-29.9) might also be considered to be pre-obese, and are at greater risk of illness. In Category 1 obesity (BMI 30-34.9) the risk of developing a mild risk of illness, and this risk rises to severe and very serious risk in the stages of obesity 2 (BMI 35-39.9) in 3 (BMI > 40) respectively.

It is important to note that BMI does not indicate risk by itself. Other aspects like what one eats, how often they exercise and whether or not they have any disease history in their family may also impact an individual's risk of disease. As a whole those who are obese and overweight have a higher risk of many diseases.

They are significantly at risk chance of:

  • Type 2 Diabetes;
  • Gall bladder disease
  • Hypertension;
  • Dyslipidaemia;
  • Insulin Resistance;
  • Atherosclerosis;
  • Sleep apnoea
  • Breathlessness
  • Asthma;
  • Social isolation and depression;
  • The fatigue and sleepiness of the day.

They have a moderately elevated probability of

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

They have a slightly increased probability of:

  • Some types of cancer (breast, colon and endometrial cancers);
  • Reproductive anomalies;
  • Infertility impairment;
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome;
  • Skin complications;
  • Cataract;
  • Varicose veins;
  • Conditions of the Musculoskeletal system;
  • Bad back
  • Incontinence due to stress
  • Oedema/cellulitis.

Underweight

Underweight people may be undernourished. Additionally, they may be at an increased chance of developing health issues such as:

  • Immune function is compromised, resulting in increased susceptibility to infections;
  • Anaemia;
  • Osteoporosis;
  • Menstrual irregularities;
  • Infertility issues.


What are the limits of the BMI?

BMILimitations that are associated with BMI. BMI are:

  • BMI can vary based on age gender and race. So, a person's BMI can only be compared with those who are of the same sex, race, and age.
  • BMI does not differentiate between muscle and fat and can therefore underestimate in some and overestimate for others (e.g. An athlete may have an elevated BMI because they have a larger amount of muscle and less fat).
  • Disabled or elderly people are less muscular and therefore will have a lower BMI. It does not mean that their weight is normal or even underweight.
  • Pregnant women also will have a higher BMI due to weight gain that is associated with pregnancy, however, not necessarily due to increased fat. BMI does not accurately reflect the body's fat levels in this instance. Pregnancy BMI and weight increase during pregnancy should be used to evaluate women's weight as well as the need for exercise and nutrition interventions.
  • BMI doesn't distinguish between the body's fat distribution. Fat in the area around waist ("apple" form) is more risky than the hips ("pear" body shape) However, this will not be detected from the BMI.

See your healthcare provider for other physical tests that might need to be used in conjunction with BMI in order to evaluate health risks associated with obesity.


Other indicators of the obesity


Table 2 Additional ways to measure obesity

Measure Description
Waist circumference The circumference of your waist (WC) is a great measure of abdominal fat, and can be used as a way to assess health risk. It is measured by putting the tape that is not stretched around the narrowest portion of your waist. You can do this with lightly or without clothing.For males:> 94 cm (37 inch) - increased risk> 102 cm (40 inch) Significantly increased risk women:> 80 cm ( 31 inch) Risk increase to an 88 cm (35 inch) - substantially increased riskRisk can also vary based on the ethnicity of the person and their health risk is higher with a lower WC in certain ethnic groups like Aboriginal, Pacific Islander, South Asian, Chinese and Japanese populations.
The hip circumference Hip circumference (HC) is determined by placing a tape on the widest part of your hip , layered over some clothing. HC is not a useful measurement by itself, but typically it is used as the ratio of WC to above.
Ratio of waist-hip Waist to Hip ratio (WHR) is the ratio of your waist circumference to hip circumference. The normal WHR for females is about 0.80 in comparison to men it's 0.95.
Waist-height ratio Waist to height ratio refers to the proportion of your waist circumference to height.

More details

For more information on nutrition, such as information on the types of food and their composition as well as people and nutrition and conditions that affect nutrition, and diets and recipes, as well as some useful videos and resources for nutrition, visit Nutrition.
For more information on the social and health effects of obesity as well as other issues related to it, and methods of losing weight and other useful tools, go to The Weight Loss.

References

  1. National Health and Medical Research Council. Clinical Management Guidelines for the management of obesity and overweight 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 on 14 April, 2014) Available at: URL Link]
  3. Keys A, Findanza F, KarvonenMJ, et al. Indices of weight-to-weight ratio and overweight. J Chron Dis. 1972; 25: 329-43. [Abstract]
  4. Goh LGH, Dhaliwal SS, Welborn TA, et al. Anthropometric tests of central and general weight and the prediction of the risk of cardiovascular disease in women: a cross-sectional investigation. BMJ Open. 2014: 4; e004138 doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004138 [Full Text]
  5. Snijder MB, van Dam RM, Visser M, Seidell JC. What body fat-related aspects pose the greatest risk and how do we know? Int. J. Epidemiol. 2006;35(1):83-92. [Full Text]
  6. Gill T, Chittleborough C, Taylor A, Ruffin R, Wilson D. Body mass index, waist hip ratio, and waist circumference: which determine the level of obesity. 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: the most easy anthropometric indicators of the abdominal visceral adipose tissues accumulation as well as cardiovascular risk related to it in women and men. Am J Cardiol. 1994; 73(7): 460-8. [Abstract]
  8. Schneider J, Glaesmer H, etal. The accuracy of anthropometric indicators of obesity in predicting cardiovascular risk. J Clin Endocrinol. 2007; 92(2): 589-594. 2007; 92(2): 589-594. Full text]
  9. Kunesova M, Hainer V, Hergetova H, Zak A. Simple anthropometric measurements-relation to the body's fat mass, visceral adipose and risk factors of atherogenesis. SB Lek. 1995; 96(3): 257-67. [Abstract]
  10. Seidell JC, Perusse L, Despres J-P, Bouchard C. Waist and hip circumferences have distinct and opposite effects on coronary disease 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 circumference: no benefit over other anthropometric measures to be an indicator of components of the metabolic syndrome in elderly from the Hoorn Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006; 84(5): 995-1002. [Abstract]
  12. Lean Mo. Waist Circumference as a way of the need to manage weight. BMJ 1995;311:158-161. [Full Text]
  13. Esmailzadeh A Mirmiran P, Azizi F. The waist-hip ratio is an effective screening tool for risk factors in the cardiovascular system 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.] Available from: URL Link]
  15. NHS Choices. Underweight Adults. 2012. [cited 14 April 2014]. Available at:

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