Written by Catherine Saxelby
on Monday, 09 March 2009.
Tagged: BMI, healthy eating, healthy lifestyle, overweight, weight loss
Wondering how healthy your weight or shape is? Here are the two most often-used ways to assess your weight and body shape - the Body Mass Index (BMI) and the waist circumference, which is used as the basis of the current 'Measure Up' education campaign run by the Australian government.
The Body Mass Index or BMI is a formula that determines whether your weight falls into the Healthy Weight Range, a range of weight for your height that is consistent with the lowest rate of death.
To calculate it, you will need to know your weight in kg and your height in metres. You divide your weight (in kilograms) by your height (in metres) squared. Use a calculator to work out:
BMI = weight (in kg)
height (in metres) 2
For example, someone who is 175 cm tall and weighs 70 kg would have a BMI of 22.8
(70 divided by 1.75 x 1.75).
Cautions when using the BMI:
Remember that there is no single weight perfect for your height, but there is a weight range where your chances of good health are highest - this is the Healthy Weight Range (BMI of 18.5 to 25).
BMI |
Classification |
18.5-25 |
Healthy weight range |
25-29.9 |
Overweight or pre-obese. Risk of health problems is increased. |
Over 30 |
Obese. Risk of health problems is greatly increased. |
Less than 18.5 |
Underweight. Risk of health problems is increased. |
This simple measurement tells you whether you're carrying too much of the dangerous abdominal fat. Run a tape measure around your waist at the largest part (usually the navel) and check your measurement against the following cut-offs.
|
Increased riskIf your waist measurement is greater than: |
Substantial riskIf your waist measurement is greater than: |
Women |
80 cm |
88 cm |
Men |
94 cm |
102 cm |
More information
Feel like you need to do something about your weight for good? Check out Catherine's book, Everyday Diet Secrets for clever ideas on how to bring about weight loss for the long-term.
Read and learn 10 tips to help you shed fat here.
© 2024 Foodwatch Australia. All rights reserved
Author photo by Kate Williams
Website by Joomstore eCommerce