BMI Background

The body mass index (BMI), is the measurement that compares a person's weight and height to determine the overall fitness of the individual. BMI calculation does not actually measure the percentage of total body fat, but it is a tool used to estimate what is considered a healthy weight based on a person’s height.

BMI is currently the most widely used body weight diagnostic tool. It is primarily used to identify obesity problems. Although the body mass index is an accurate representation of weight compared to height, it is not considered accurate to determine obesity and general body health.

The Body mass index is defined as the your body weight divided by the square of your height. The formula is universally expressed as kg/m2. 

Effects Related to High BMI
Sleep apnoea

• Over 9% of women with a high body mass index suffer from sleep apnoea, compared with 1 to 4 percent of normal-weight women. Studies have shown that each unit increase in BMI over 30 increases your risk for sleep apnoea four-fold.

Headache

• Those who have a BMI that is considered to be high have a 30 percent higher risk of developing chronic headaches.

Eye

• A high body mass index increases the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. Overweight and obese women with a high BMI are also more than twice as likely to develop an eye disease.

Chest

• Breast cancer is also an increased risk for women who have a high body mass index. Gaining more than 20 pounds from the age of 18 to midlife doubles the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.

Heart

• If you have a BMI that is measured over 25, studies have shown that you are twice as likely to contract some form of heart disease, high cholesterol, or stroke.

Kidneys

• A high body mass index also places you at risk to contract Type 2 diabetes, which can negatively affect your kidneys.

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement tool that compares your height to your weight and gives you an indication of whether you are overweight, underweight or at a healthy weight for your height.

For Example: If your weight is 185 pounds (13st 2lbs) and your height is 65-inches (5’ 5”) then your BMI would be calculated as follows:

185 divided 4225 multiplied by 703 = BMI of 30.78

In this example the figure of 4225 is height in inches (65) x Height in inches (65)

BMI= 185 x 703
           4225