Body Mass Index (BMI) is considered to be a crucial indicator of one’s body fat content. Individuals’ healthy weight is closely related to their height. For instance, a tall but slender individual may weigh more than a short but stout individual. However, the taller individual may enjoy better health if their weight is suitable for their height. Similarly, the ideal weight also tends to differ for males and females who are of the same height. This is why to categorize one into the healthy weight range.
Knowing one’s BMI is a great way to understand whether the current weight can be categorized as healthy or not. Based on the BMI individuals may tweak their lifestyle and food habits to enhance health and quality of life. Today, BMI is also considered to be key information for health insurance companies. Such data may help them gain an idea of a potential policy buyer’s lifestyle. This again stresses the need to know about one’s BMI. Unlike weight which can be easily weighed on a weighing scale, it is not simple to check one’s BMI. However, a tool like a BMI calculator can help users easily check and monitor their BMI frequently.
How to calculate your BMI?
BMI is considered to be a reliable tool to measure body fat percentage and subsequently establish risk levels for various ailments that are induced because of excessive fat. Many healthcare facilities use BMI as a standard indicator to determine suitable medicine doses.
Besides these, health insurance companies often require applicants to submit their BMI details to support their health status information.
Typically, individuals need their weight and height details to compute their BMI. With this information, one can find their BMI by –
step 1 – Multiplying height by itself
step 2 – Dividing weight by the answer obtained after the first step
In terms of formula, here’s how BMI can be computed –
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ (height (m))2
Example of BMI Calculation
Suppose, a person weighs 75 kgs and is 1.77m tall. Based on this simple formula his weight would be –
BMI = 75 / (1.77 * 1.77)
= 75/ 3.13
= 23.96
To avoid this manual process and obtain results quickly, one can use the online BMI calculator. The process is simple and consumes less time.
How the use online BMI calculator
Follow these steps to use the BMI calculator –
Step 1 – Look for a reliable BMI calculator and open the webpage
Step 2 – Select Gender
Step 3 – Enter Age
Step 4 – Enter weight
Step 5 – Enter height
Step 6 – Click on ‘calculate’
After these steps are followed the BMI will appear on the screen.
BMI calculators can be accessed free of cost and used multiple times. This allows individuals to constantly monitor their health and track their BMI for fluctuations. The user-friendly interface and simple steps allow users to access the tool easily and utilize its features. The requirement of basic height, weight, age, and gender details are deemed enough to find one’s BMI, making the tool a simple and quick means of gaining valuable health insights. The tool also comes in handy for insurance applicants when purchasing a health policy. On the other hand, health insurance companies may use the tool to determine the vitals of the insurance buyer. Typically, a higher or extremely lower BMI may signal an alarm for the insurers as they associate individuals susceptible to health complications with being risky. Based on such details they may modify their premium or life cover. Applicants who are fit and healthy would be more likely to secure high coverage at a lower premium.
Know the risks associated with being overweight
It is common knowledge that excessive weight can trigger several health complications some of which could prove to be fatal. Typically, higher BMIs than the average number of 25 are linked with greater risks of developing health conditions such as – type 2 diabetes, risk of coronary artery disorders, cardiac issues, high LDL cholesterol and low count of HDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, and/or stroke. Additionally, it can cause gallbladder, blood pressure, insulin resistance, osteoporosis, sleep apnea, hernia, breathing issues, cataracts, varicose veins, gout, clinical depression, certain types of cancer, Polycystic ovarian disease in women.
Risks associated with being underweight
Being underweight is also considered detrimental to health and well-being. For instance, a BMI below 28.5 is considered to be risky and makes humans susceptible to Vitamin deficiencies, anemia, diminished immunity, osteoporosis, malnutrition, developmental delays in kids, disruption in menstrual cycles, hormonal imbalances, etc.
Sometimes being underweight can also indicate underlying health conditions such as anorexia. Based on the BMI individuals should seek medical attention or make conscious adjustments to one’s lifestyle and dietary habits to enhance wellbeing. This will prove useful for those who wish to lead an active lifestyle and also for individuals who plan to purchase a health insurance policy soon and wish to control their premium outflow.
This generation is exposed to elevated stress levels, inactivity lifestyle habits, pollution, and compromised dietary products. Collectively, these factors increase individuals’ risk of developing health complications. In such a situation, a tool like a BMI calculator that can help track and assess one’s health risks proves beneficial. While such a tool can offer surface-level insight into health conditions, consulting a doctor regarding BMI-related concerns can help navigate the implications and resolve the challenges more effectively.
These days to maintain health it is important to manage stress, eat clean and healthy food, take proper rest, follow an active lifestyle, and more importantly control unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking and drinking. Besides these, to safeguard against unwarranted health complications, individuals are advised to prepare for sudden medical emergencies or health conditions. In such preparation, having a comprehensive life cover can help individuals safeguard their financial future against medical emergencies and provide substantial support. This will allow them to account for healthcare needs and seek timely treatment without straining savings or adding to the family’s financial worries. This again makes it important to build a medical corpus or a safety net besides adopting a healthy lifestyle.