According to the definition of the World Health Organization, obesity means excessive accumulation of fat in the body, which impairs one’s health. Body mass index; It is the most popular criterion in the classification of obesity, calculated by the formula of dividing the weight by the square of the height. When we maket he calculation weight should be taken in kilograms and height in meters. It is a formula used in order to see the ideal weight of the individual and to learn which weight category they are in. It is commonly used because of the ease of calculation and keeping in mind. However, since it does not provide detailed information about body fat and muscle mass, it may not give a satisfactory result on obesity alone. Because some individuals with excessive muscle mass may have high BMI values as a result of calculations made with only height and weight. In addition, the fat ratio of an elderly individual who has lost muscle mass may not be understood by body mass index.
How to calculate Body Mass Index?
Body mass index, abbreviated as BMI, is calculated by dividing the weight by the square of the height. The meaning of the result when your weight is divided by the square of your height is calculated within the reference range of the World Health Organization. The result is considered obese if it is over 30, morbidly obese if it is over 40, and super obese if it is over 50.
When calculating the body mass index, only weight and height are taken for calculation. However, values such as age, gender, body fat percentage and waist circumference are also taken within the scope of calculation for the detailed body mass index. As a result of the calculation of the body mass index, those who have excessive fat accumulation in their body that will impair their health can calculate these values under the control of an expert and bring these values to the ideal level for them.
How is obesity classification done in the calculation of Body Mass Index?
The obesity classification made by the World Health Organization is as follows:
- Underweight for those under 18.5 kg/m2,
- Those between 18.5 kg/m2 and 24.9 kg/m2 are normal weight,
- Those between 25 kg/m2 and 29.9 kg/m2 are overweight,
- Those between 30 kg/m2 and 34.9 kg/m2 are stage I obese,
- Those between 35 kg/m2 and 39.9 kg/m2 are stage II obese,
- Those between 40 kg/m2 and 49.9 kg/m2 are stage III obese (morbidly obese),
- Those over 50 kg/m2 are considered as stage IV obese (super obese).
What is the ideal Body Mass Index according to age ranges?
The ideal body mass index of the person also differs according to age. The BMI reference ranges that should be according to age are given below:
- The ideal reference range for 19-24 year olds is 19-24,
- The ideal body mass index for those aged 25-34 is 20-25,
- The ideal body mass index for those aged 35-44 is 21-26,
- Ideal body mass index for those aged 45-54 is 22-27,
- The ideal body mass index for those aged 55-64 is 23-28,
- The ideal value of body mass index for 65 years and older should be 24-29.
What should be the ratio of weight to height in order to have an Ideal Body Mass Index?
Although it varies for each individual according to gender and metabolic rate, here are some examples of the body weight you should reach for your height:
- While the ideal weight is 48 kg for a man who is 150 cm tall, it is 43 kg for women.
- Ideal weight for a man who is 158 cm tall should be around 55 kg for a woman and 51 kg.
- For 160 cm height, 57 kg for men and 52 kg for women is ideal.
- If a person who is 162 cm tall wants to be extremely fit, he must reach 59 kg if woman she must reach 54 kg.
- The ideal weight is 61 kg for men and 57 kg for women with a height of 165 cm.
- While 61 kg is ideal for women with a height of 170 cm, this is 66 kg for men.
How to calculate obesity?
There are many methods available today to know the degree of obesity problem. However, among these methods, everyone can easily calculate and the most popular method is body mass index (BMI). It is calculated by dividing an individual’s weight by the square of their height in meters. It is also called body mass index (BMI). The calculation example for the method used according to the obesity classification of the World Health Organization is as follows:
- Let’s say calculation will be made for a person who is 100 kilos and 1.80 m tall.
- For 1.8×1.8, the square of the height is calculated as 3.24.
- The result of 100/3.24 is 30.8.
- When the reference ranges of the World Health Organization are evaluated, results above 30 kg/m2 are considered obese, so this person is in the obese class.
What does it mean if the Body Mass Index is less than 20?
If your weight is divided by the square of your height, if a value less than 20 is obtained; You have to interpret this as being underweight. However, this underweight is undesirable as it may pave the way for some diseases. In order to be accepted as an individual with a normal body mass index, attention should be paid to adequate and balanced nutrition. At the same time, multivitamins can be used for micronutrients that cannot be adequately taken with nutrition.
What should those with normal BMI do to maintain it?
Those who are at a normal level in the reference range determined by the World Health Organization are in the appropriate weight with their height. In order to maintain your ideal weight, you should continue to eat an adequate and balanced diet, and at the same time, you should not neglect to do regular physical activity. It is easier to maintain the current weight with physical activity. If the body mass index is in the normal range, if they do not consume an average of 5-9 portions of fruit or vegetables a day, if they take some nutritional values deficient; They can consume multivitamins to get the micronutrients that the body needs.
What should people do with a Body Mass Index in the range of 25-30?
When the body mass index is calculated, if the value is between 25 and 30, the individual is classified as overweight. Since person is overweight for their height, they should try to reach her ideal weight. In order to discover the freedom of movement that the ideal weight gives to the individual, it is necessary to acquire new eating habits. It should be fed adequately and balancedly in accordance with the ideal weight for its height. Otherwise, the risk of getting many diseases is very high.
Who are consedered as obese first class according to Body Mass Index?
Those who count as obese first class are those with a body mass index between 30 and 35. It is a reference range warns that your body weight is higher than your height and that you need to take precautions for it. The ideal weight should be lowered in a controlled manner by applying to a health institution. If weight is not lost under the control of a specialist physician or dietitian, it is inevitable to suffer from many chronic diseases in the future. It is a reference range that increases the risk of developing heart diseases, vascular diseases, diabetes and hypertension.
According to the Body Mass Index calculation, what are the risk factors for Second Class Obese People?
A body mass index between 35 and 40 is considered obese second class. Since your body weight is higher than your height, you should decrease to your normal weight and become a healthier individual. In order to lose weight in a healthier way and to consume the nutrients needed by the body correctly, weight should be lost under the control of a specialist doctor or dietitian. Although the body mass index is in this range, those who do not make an effort to reach their ideal weight may suffer from various chronic diseases depending on their weight. It contains risks for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and hypertension.
What should BMI value is obese third class should do?
In order to be obese third class, the body mass index should be in the range of 40-45. It means that your weight is more compared to height and therefore you need to lose weight to get to the normal weight. Eating habits should be changed in order to reach the ideal height and weight ratio again. In addition to taking care to take protein, fat and carbohydrates at the level that the body needs, it is necessary to take adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals on a daily basis. Otherwise, the risk of getting many chronic diseases, especially heart disease, is quite high.
Does the Body Mass Index calculation give enough information for obesity calculation?
When calculating the body mass index, factors such as body fat and muscle tissue, fat ratio, body type are not added to the calculation. Therefore, although obesity can be diagnosed, it is not a calculation method that gives detailed information about the obesity problem. For this reason, in addition to the calculation of body mass index in overweight and obese individuals, measurement of waist circumference, measurement of metabolic rate and detailed body analysis are required. In order to solve the obesity problem, it is necessary to know the area where the body collects fat. Calculation of body mass index alone is not sufficient for correct diagnosis and treatment. The accumulation patterns of the body’s adipose tissue are given below:
Apple type: It is the accumulation of fat tissue around the navel. It can reveal more dangerous results than the accumulation of fat in the hip or hip area. It is known that the risk of developing heart diseases is higher in those who have apple-type obesity problems.
Pear type: It is the name given to the accumulation of fat tissue in the hip and hip area. Obesity is seen as an increased risk when the waist circumference exceeds 94 cm in men and as a high risk when it exceeds 102 cm. In women, the measure is 80 cm for increased risk and 88 cm for high risk.
What is taken into account in calculating obesity other than Body Mass Index?
With the accumulation of fat tissue in the body, the secretion of harmful hormones also increases. Intense fat accumulation around the waist can cause many health problems. At the same time, measurement of waist circumference helps to determine the degree of obesity. Obesity can be calculated by the ratio of healthy muscle tissue to harmful adipose tissue. With this information, it is possible for the individual to determine whether he is healthy and to take steps to solve the obesity problem accordingly. Fat ratio is between 12% and 18% in adult males and between 20% and 28% in adult females, which is considered normal. However, if it exceeds 25% in men and 30% in women, these are also taken into account in the calculation of obesity.