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Body Mass Index

What is the Body Mass Index?

The Body Mass Index (BMI), also called Quetelet Index, is an index of weight relative to height. The BMI is calculated by dividing body weight in kilograms divided by height in meters and the outcome is once divided by the length.
The BMI provides an estimate of the health of the body. It is at the BMI is not about what is cosmetic seen the most beautiful. The BMI has a relationship with the amount of body fat, BMI but the values do not reflect the percentage of body fat.

For whom?

The classification applies to adults from 18 to about 70 years.

For children and teenagers will have different limits.

Healthy weight for girls:
http://www.vetvrij.com/gezond-gewicht-voor-meisjes.html

Healthy weight for boys:
http://www.vetvrij.com/gezond-gewicht-voor-jongens.html

over 70 years, the relationship between BMI and health is less clear. For some groups, such as Asians and Hindus wane, other limits. That has to do with another body construction. About these limits is a discussion. However, it is clear that these people already at lower values there is a heightened risk.

The classification of the BMI in adults of 18-70 years

BMI (kg/m2)	Classification	Risk
<18.5	underweight	low (but increased risk of other diseases)
18,5-24,9	normal weight	average
25-29,9	overweight	increased
30 and higher	obesity	clearly increased

Below a BMI of 18.5, it is wise to try to arrive. For people with a BMI between 18.5 and 25 is: try to maintain that weight. People with a BMI between 25 and 30 without additional health risks that they should be thicker. Medically it is necessary to be covered by a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30. Are there additional health risks, such as high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease in the family, it is wise to waste a BMI between 25 and 30.

Above 70 years

There are several investigations into the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and mortality in older men and women. This shows that the BMI with the lowest mortality occurs in the elderly is higher than in the younger age groups. There are still too little data to the elderly in determining exactly where the risks increase significantly. It is clear that the limits for the BMI as those for funds with older adults from about 70 years with the necessary caution should be used. This applies also for the assessment of waist circumference.

Aging is usually accompanied by changes in the construction of the body, the composition and distribution. Thus the weight relative to height. The amount of fat in the abdominal cavity increases, which take off legs and arms. In men, this is done very gradually. Women especially after menopause have more fat in the abdominal cavity.

For the elderly, in the first place: stay on weight. Older people would do well to only lose weight on the advice of a doctor. To prevent obesity, the elderly can use more exercise. Exercise is beneficial to retain muscle mass. This is important because muscle mass in the elderly can serve as a reserve to diseases. As for the food, it is especially important that contains sufficient nutrients. In the elderly, the energy off, so they often go to eat less, but the need for vitamins and minerals remains the same.

Test your BMI online

you see no BMI meters above? follow these instructions.

Source: health.fgov.be and voedingscentrum.nl

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