What is your BMI ?

One of the major challenges to remaining healthy in modern times is maintaining a “normal” body weight. Obviously, no weight can be considered normal and “fit all” for everyone. Health specialists are engaged in research and debate as to what is “normal body weight”.

The answer came from health insurance data, which showed that people who weighed more than they ought to have for their height, had more health problems and died earlier. The challenge was to define what was “over weight”.

Body mass index (BMI) is the commonest measure used across the globe. It is calculated by dividing your weight (in Kg) by your height in meters, squared. To use a simple formula: Weight (kg)/ height (m) ². For those who are poor in maths, you can read off your BMI on the charts, once you know your height and weight (whathealth.com/bmi/chart-metric.html)

The normal BMI range in western people is 19 to 25. A person with BMI between 25 and 29 is  overweight, between 30-35 as obese, between 35-40 as severely obese and above 40 as morbidly obese. What these figures indicate is that the higher the BMI climbs above normal, the risk to life and complcations go up in quantum steps. Researchers from AIIMS and ICMR have shown that the criteria for Indians need to be lower; a BMI above 23.5 is overweight, and above 28.5 obese. These limits were determined based on the increased risk of heart disease that was found in people whose BMI crossed 23.5!

Weighing more than one should is emerging as a major risk factor in urban Indians. The risk of developing diabetes, high BP, heart disease, fatty liver disease, joint problems go up. Obese people are unable to withstand stress and succumb easily. The life span is considerably shortened in obese people; they live 7 -14 years less than their normal weighing counterparts.

Some scientists feel that the pattern of distribution of fat in the body is more important for health than the weight. For instance, the weight may be high due to heavy bones but the person may be quite lean, or, a person may look and weigh normal but may have a ponch where excess fat is stored. Hence abdominal girth of more than 90 cm for men and 85 cm for women is considered as visceral obesity and confers risk to health. If your trouser waist size is more than 32” for women and 34 cm for men, watch out!

Milder degrees of obesity is best managed by cutting down on calories in your diet; avoid fatty food, pastries, sweets, soft drinks, pizzas and chips and increase the proportion of soups, green veggies and fruits in diet. Be regular with a good arerobic workout, such as jogging, cycling, swimming, dancing or walking for atleast 40 minutes a day, 5 days a week. If your BMI is over 35 you will need special help, especially if you suffer from diabetes or heart disease. Some of the medicines available in the market could help. If your BMI crosses 40 and if you are unable to bring it down, bariatric surgery could restore your figure and ensure that you live well and long.

 As published in HT City ( Hindustan Times)