NFL Players Tackling CardioVascular Health….How A High BMI Can Be A Red Flag
BMI or more commonly known as Body Mass Index is one of the essential measurements of the human body. It can easily be calculated within a time span of a second. This BMI helps in detecting many various diseases and prevents future health risks.
However, most people are not attentive of what a BMI actually is. Well, if you are one of them then don’t worry, keep on reading this article and calculate your BMI right away.
How Should You Calculate Your BMI
Calculating your BMI is very easy. You can find your Body Mass Index easily by following the three steps mentioned below:
- Simply step on a scale without shoes and write your weight down on a piece of paper
- Measure your height but make sure to do that in inches and also write it down
- Multiple your weight written in pounds by the number 703
- Now divide this number by squaring your height
The formula for this in simple terms is: (Weight x 703)(Height 2 in Inches) = BMI
An example of this formula being used for a person of 150 lbs and 65”(5’5”) tall is:
(703 x 150)(652)= 24.96
Now keep in mind that this calculation is to be used simply by adults; you can also make use of an adult BMI calculator tool to make your work easy and skip all the mathematics.
What Does Your BMI Stand For In Terms Of Health
Once you are alert of what your body mass index is, you can know for sure if you are a normal weight person, underweight, obese or overweight according to the classification mentioned below:
- If your BMI is below 18.5, then you are an underweight person
- If your BMI is between 18.5 to 24.9, then you have a normal weight
- If your BMI is 25.0 to 29.9, then you are overweight
- And if your BMI is 30 or above, then you will be classified as an obese person
If your BMI falls in the above mentioned normal range and can be classified by the metrics above, then there is more chance that you have a higher risk for many heart conditions and diseases. These include:
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Stroke
- Heart diseases
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Breathing problems
- Osteoarthritis
- Gall bladder disease
- Cancer problems such as colon cancer, cancer of the kidney, pancreatic cancer, and breast cancer.
The higher your BMI will be the higher the risk of getting these health conditions, and diseases are. This may see simply to you, but there are some exceptions.
For example, when calculating your body mass index, your body fat percentage does not get included in the calculation. Therefore, if you have a muscular body type with slight body fat, your BMI will overestimate the fat present on you. whereas, on the other hand, if you are older or deal with the loss of muscle, then your BMI might underestimate the fat present on you.
For these reasons, it is essential that athletes understand that BMI is a tool used to screen people and place them in the category while raising red flags for people who are obese or underweight. This is not a diagnosis for a heart condition or other health diseases; it is simply a warning.
It is crucial that you discuss your BI with your doctor since it reflects with your age, body, and lifestyle; also since everyone has a different body, your doctor will help you in guiding you to the right kind of precaution you must take.
Also remember, to ask your doctor about the risk of having weight-related chronic diseases and other health problems. This includes a complete detailed review of your family history as well.
Waist Circumference
Another innovative way to find out the potential disease that can be of risk to you is simply by measuring your waist circumference. Having excessive abdominal fat can be a severe issue since it increases the risk of you undergoing obesity-related conditions such as high blood pressure, type 22 diabetes and even coronary heart disease.
Your waistline will determine that you have a higher risk of these conditions if you are a man with a waist circumference more than 40 inches; or if you are non-pregnant women whose waist is more than thirty-five inches.
These waist circumferences can be used for athletes as well, but it is not a diagnostic of the fatness of your body or helps you find out your health. To find your health status, you must visit trained healthcare which provides you with a complete detailed evaluation.
In order to measure your waist circumference simply follow the following steps:
- Place tape around your middle while standing but make sure it is slightly above your hipbones
- Your tape must be horizontal and wrapped around your waist
- Keep this tape snug all around your waist, but it must not compress your skin
- Also, measure your waist only after you have breathed out
What To Do If Your BMI Is Above Normal
Apart from speaking with your doctor and health care provider, if you know your BMI is above normal, then you must also work with a good wellness coach and a health coach. These coaches will help in developing an athletic plan for you to reduce the risk of developing a disease.
This will also involve following an appropriate diet exercising and following a weekly based routine. Together you and your coach will make your life easier and healthier.
A low BMI is very dangerous since it indicates you do not have a nutrition-filled diet; as an sportsperson, it is important that you eat a good diet so that you can take full part in activities and do not get tired. A good BMI will help in tackling cardiovascular problems as well.
