How Body Mass Index Works ? Set Your Weight Loss Goals
Many people want to lose a few of those annoying pounds, but they just don’t know where to start. If only there was some sort of guide that would help dieters to set goals. Body mass index, or BMI, creates an opportunity for weight loss enthusiasts to determine their ideal body weight in order to set their goals.
The index uses your body height and weight to determine problem areas in your weight. Underweight, normal, overweight, and obese are the categories the index uses for classification. The categories have their individual implications as regarded to health and wellbeing.
How is BMI Calculated?
BMI calculations use a simple formula that can be figured with a traditional calculator, or pen and paper for that matter. The body mass index formula = kg/m2. In layman’s terms, your weight in kilograms is divided by your height in meters squared. The customary or English measurement formula = (lb/in2) x 703 or weight in pounds divided by height in inches squared all multiplied by 703. It’s really not as complicated as it sounds. Try it for yourself.
Interpreting the Index – What it all Means
Your BMI calculation will produce an index somewhere between 14 and 30 or so. You will be categorized as follows:
Below 18.5 = Underweight
18.5 – 24.9 = Normal
25.0 – 29.9 = Overweight
30 and Above = Obese
Some BMI charts will break the categories down even further, but this table is the most common. Children’s body mass index takes age and maturity into account.
The index for body mass was created to evaluate the level of risk associated with chronic health problems. There is a direct link to your BMI and certain serious health conditions, such as: heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
There are some drawbacks to body mass calculation as every person is different. Common sense should be used to evaluate the findings, even those who fall in the middle of a specified range of the index. Those with more athletic builds and leaner builds certainly need to understand the objectivity of BMI. Even though there is some grey area, body mass indexing is still quite useful.
Goal Setting and the Index
The index is useful on a variety of fronts, but the major application is weight control. Those with a low body weight should get it up into the normal range, as those with excessive weight should bring it down. Those that are on the cusp of the trouble areas can probably do well on their own, while those closer to the extreme should consult a medical doctor. Health professionals are well equipped to get you on the right program and give you the best advice for your individual situation.
If your plans are to begin some sort of diet and exercise routine, your ultimate goal should leave you in the normal range. Goal setting is important in weight loss as in many other arenas, but your body requires some special consideration. It’s the only one you have.
An ideal weight goal is necessary to have, but if it is the only one, you may become discouraged with your progress. Setting and meeting intermediate goals give the inspiration that it takes to get to the next step. Fitness and weight loss don’t happen overnight, no matter how hard you try. Taking measured steps with frequent evaluation ensures that you are making progress.
Robb Ksiazek is a successful author and publisher for Body-Mass-Index-4U.com. He performs ongoing research on dieting, weight loss, and an overall healthy lifestyle incorporating mind, body, and soul. He strives to share this information for all to enjoy.
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Online Weight Loss – Fact or Farce?
Over the past 5 years, online weight loss programs have become increasingly popular. One such Internet-only weight loss program claims to have over 1.2 million members in it’s database. We are seeing more and more companies creating an Internet presence to assist with weight loss.
Is it a money grab, or can an Internet-based program genuinely help you? How can sitting at the computer help you to lose weight? How can we trust the information being provided to us? Let’s try and answer some of those questions.
Money-making or Real Help?
A study conducted by the Brown Medical School provides some interesting results. They compared the results of 2 groups of overweight people over a period of 6 months. Both groups were trying to lose weight. One group was subscribed into a structured Web and email based program – whilst the other group was simply given a number of Internet links to weight loss information.
Participants who were given a structured behavioral treatment program with weekly contact and individualized feedback had better weight loss compared with those given links to educational Web sites. The study concluded that “the Internet and e-mail appear to be viable methods for delivery of structured behavioral weight loss programs.”
However a smaller study conducted later compared only a single online weight loss program with a group given only a weight loss manual. The results here were quite different, with the non-Internet group getting better results.
Losing Weight By sitting in Front of the Computer?
Our modern sedentary lifestyle is having a huge impact on health in the Western world. However, never before have we had so much information available at our fingertips. The on-line weight loss programs, are allowing people to have counseling, and weekly personalized support at a fraction of the normal cost.
There is no doubt that “bricks-and-mortar” weight loss centers, such as Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, and LA Weight Loss, are significantly more expensive than their on-line competitors.
The support available from on-line forums, message boards, email, and chat, is contributing to peoples weight loss efforts.
Weight Loss Information – Quackery or Quality?
There is one thing about the Internet – it allows anyone to take up a pen (or a keyboard) and start writing. Like most modern mediums, this is both good and bad. There is considerable ms-information out there, but it can allow you to make more informed decisions.
Previously our only source of information was from advertising, magazine articles, or from our local physicians. This information typically came from a single school of thought, or establishment. The Internet allows us to sift for real-world information, written by the very people that have suffered the conditions, and found an answer.
Without wishing to deride the medical establishment, it seems that many doctors are too quick to prescribe medication. We can’t help but feel cynical when we see the names of pharmaceutical companies written on pens and notepads in the doctors office!
We need to be more informed and weigh up our own decisions for what is best for our bodies.
Online Weight Loss – What To Expect
The two studies published in the JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), tell us that, yes, on-line weight loss can and does work. It also tells us to be realistic about what to expect. The best person to help you succeed is you.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that the cost for these programs is very good compared with the amount of information that you receive.
If you are considering altering your diet, and beginning an exercise regime, it’s well worth having a look at some of the programs on-line to see if they will suit.
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Free Dieting – The Weight Loss Guide is a resource for everything concerning losing weight. Independent reviews of popular diets, and articles taking a serious look at the causes and solution of weight problems.
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