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Curious about BMI and its implications for health? Dive into understanding BMI and its calculation.
Unlocking the Mystery of BMI: Exploring Its Definition and Calculation
BMI Demystified: Understanding Its Significance
BMI, short for Body Mass Index, is a measure indicating the ratio of weight to height of an individual. This index is widely used worldwide to assess whether one is underweight or overweight and to determine the most appropriate healthcare regime.
Calculating BMI
BMI of a person is calculated by dividing their weight (in kg) by the square of their height (measured in meters or centimeters).
BMI = Weight (kg) / Height (m)²
If body weight is measured in pounds and height is measured in inches, then the BMI formula is:
BMI = (Weight in pounds) / (Height in inches)² × 703
For example: Person A has a weight of 76 kg and a height of 1.78m.
BMI = 23.98
So, individual A's BMI is 23.98, according to the calculations.
BMI Classification by WHO
1. Classification for European Individuals
According to WHO, adults with a BMI ranging from 18.50 to 24.99 are considered normal. Below 18.5 is underweight, 25 to 29.99 is overweight, and above 30 is obese.
Phân loại |
BMI (kg/m2) |
|
Từ |
Đến |
|
Thiếu cân |
18,5 |
|
Thiếu cân rất nặng |
15,0 |
|
Thiếu cân nặng |
15,0 |
16,0 |
Thiếu cân |
16,0 |
18,5 |
Bình thường |
18,5 |
25,0 |
Thừa cân |
25,0 |
|
Tiền béo phì |
25,0 |
30,0 |
Béo phì |
30,0 |
|
Béo phì độ I |
30,0 |
35,0 |
Béo phì độ II |
35,0 |
40,0 |
Béo phì độ III |
40,0 |
2. Classification for Individuals from Asia-Pacific Region
Nutritional needs for adults in the Asia-Pacific region slightly differ from those in Europe.
Phân loại |
BMI (kg/m2) |
Thiếu cân |
< 18,5 |
Bình thường |
18,50 - 22,99 |
Thừa cân |
23,00 - 24,99 |
Béo phì |
≥ 25 |
Béo phì độ I |
25,00 - 29,99 |
Béo phì độ II |
30,00 - 39,99 |
Béo phì độ III |
≥ 40 |
3. Adults over 20 Years Old
Type 1 Classification
- BMI < 18: underweight individuals
- BMI = 18.5 - 25: normal-weight individuals
- BMI = 25 - 30: obese level I individuals
- BMI = 30 - 40: obese level II individuals
- BMI > 40: obese level III individuals
Type 2 Classification
Male:
- BMI < 20: underweight individuals
- 20 <= BMI < 25: normal-weight individuals
- 25 <= BMI < 30: overweight individuals
- BMI > 30: obese individuals
Female:
- BMI < 18: underweight individuals
- 18 <= BMI < 23: normal-weight individuals
- 23 <= BMI < 30: overweight individuals
- BMI > 30: obese individuals
4. Children aged 2 – 20 years
BMI calculation follows the same method as above, but it is compared against typical values for children of the same gender and age group. The BMI index is compared against the percentage rate for children of the same gender and age.
- Underweight: if BMI falls within the range smaller than the 5th percentile
- Good nutritional health: if BMI falls within the range from the 5th to 85th percentile
- Overweight: if BMI falls within the range from the 85th to 95th percentile
- Obese: if BMI falls within the range greater than the 95th percentile
According to experts, a BMI in the range of 18.5 – 25 is considered optimal. Specifically for Vietnamese people, it is 18.5-23. Having an ideal BMI, with balanced weight and height, reduces the risk of diseases and promotes a healthier, more active body.
Here, Mytour has shared with you the concept of BMI, how to calculate BMI, and interpreting BMI to understand your body's health status. Hopefully, through this article, you will determine whether you are underweight, normal, or obese.
