Have you heard about Body Mass Index (BMI) and wondered what it means? Maybe you used an online calculator to learn your BMI and were shocked that it defined you as obese.
You’re not alone! Action star Sylvester Stallone is still famously buff in his 70s. But he’s obese, according to him BMI.
It’s a common measuring tool, a quick assessment to determine if someone might be overweight. But it’s not a diagnostic tool and it shouldn’t be relied on as the sole indicator.
To calculate your BMI, divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches, and then multiply that number by 703. Or use a simple online calculator. If the result is over 25, you’re considered overweight by BMI standards. If it’s over 30, that means you’re obese.
Your doctor might have measured your BMI. She can confirm it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution (pun intended). It doesn’t consider all kinds of factors, even gender and age. Athletic people might weigh more than the BMI says they should. BMI also can underestimate body fat among older people, because we naturally lose muscle mass as we age.
You might want to measure your waist with a simple tape measure. “Start at the top of your hip bone, then bring the tape measure all the way around your body, level with your belly button,” says WebMD. Check the measurement after you exhale.
Men should be less than 40 inches around, women less than 35, WebMD says. Talk to your doctor if it’s more. Medical professionals and some gyms and studios have more precise tools to measure your body fat, which is much more important than body weight.
To lose fat, you know what you need to do: Eat less and move more.
