BMI Unmasked: Find Out If You’re in the Healthy Zone!

In a renewed effort to clarify guidelines around healthy weight, health authorities have reiterated that the Body Mass Index (BMI) healthy range for adults is from 18.5 to 24.9 BMI. This applies to men and women over the age of 18. Those with a BMI in this range are regarded as having the lowest risk for weight-related health issues including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

 

A BMI of less than 18.5 is identified as underweight, a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is classified as overweight, and a BMI of 30 or greater is determined as obese and has a higher risk for chronic health conditions. While BMI is a useful screening tool, experts note that it does not measure body fat and does not account for building mass, age, sex, and ethnicity. Therefore, BMI is just one of the ways to assess health.

 

The announcement encourages adults to assess their BMI, which can be completed with the standard equation—weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared—and to reach out to their physician for recommendations in individual case scenarios when outside the healthy range. 

 

Source: Medical News Today