Look at that lovely ballerina. She’s so slight that she’s practically invisible. Yet, when she steps on a scale the dial points to 175 pounds. How is that possible? How can someone that looks like she weighs nothing, in fact, weigh a lot? The answer? Muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat.
Back in the 1800’s a mathematician named Adolphe Quetelet, came up with a formula for determining ideal weight in relation to height. Body Mass Index. This calculation of weight divided by height squared, has been the touchstone for determining if a person is too thin or too fat ever since. BMI is not a perfect indicator as the example above illustrates. However, it is a very good method for arriving at a basic understanding of whether or not you need to work on your shape.
Are you too fat? Are you too thin? Are you just right? If you read magazines, watch television, see films or otherwise pay attention to popular media, then you know how mixed the messages are.
Recently, actress Jennifer Love-Hewitt was photographed romping in a bikini. Headlines across the nation wrote descriptions of her appearance using words like "fat", "bloated" and "whale". According to Ms. Love-Hewitt she wears size 2 clothing - reportedly the current ideal US size for females. In the 1950’s the American size ideal was 10. Why the change? Two reasons. One, US sizes are not standardized. Another reason is the phenomenon of Vanity Sizing. In other words, American clothing manufacturers changed a size 12 to a size 6 in order to make size twelve customers feel better about their bodies. So, in reality a size 10 from the 1950’s would be categorized as a size 4. Ms. Love-Hewitt would be considered a size 8 by the standards used a half a century ago.
While men’s sizes are based on actual measurements as opposed to marketing ploys, Western males suffer from body image issues as well. Instead of trying to appear thin, young men take anabolic steroids to increase mass. While neither anorexia nor steroid abuse are considered epidemics, the consequences of manipulating one’s physique by such means can be devastating, even fatal.
That sad fact of the matter is that too many of us operate under the misguided belief that celebrities are the norm instead of the exception. We are guilty of thinking that all men are supposed to have six pack abs like David Beckham and all women are supposed to be as busty yet thin as Angelina Jolie. Instead, we would all be much better off if we relied on simple ratios of height versus weight such as the Body Mass Index, or BMI.
According to the formula, a normal, healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. A person with a BMI under 18.5 is considered underweight. A person with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight. Someone with a BMI over 30 is categorized as obese.
As explained already, that calculation is arrived by dividing one’s weight times one’s height squared. The original intent of the BMI calculation was to give a generalized idea of proper weight in a wealthy nation, where the citizenry had plenty of food and resultantly, a rising population of overweight people. BMI was not designed to measure the body mass of athletes, including the ballerina mentioned at the beginning of this piece. BMI is not intended to determine weather or not a person is healthy or unhealthy. BMI is what it is - a median figure based on a mathematical formula. If your BMI is above 25 or below 18.5 that means that your height-weight ratio does not fall into the norm.
What do you do if your BMI is above 24.9 or below 18.5?
What you should not do is panic or assume that your BMI can be rectified by get-fit-fast schemes. The best thing is to visit your doctor and get a physical. Your doctor will conduct a more in-depth analysis of your current condition. Your doctor knows that BMI alone means little in the overall determination of your health. Your physician understands that the Body Mass Index is only one of many ways to gage whether or not you are in good shape. Medical professionals are taught to consider all factors, including physical activity levels, inherited traits and diet. One must always consult a doctor before trying any new diet. You should never attempt to self-alter your physicality just because your BMI is not prime.
How do you Calculate your BMI?
First, you need to know two things: How much you weigh and how tall you are. With those two numbers, you then take advantage of the wonderful World Wide Web and visit the Centers for Disease Control online BMI Calculator.
Make sure you use the right calculator for your age group. Children and teens are calculated on a different scale than are adults. If your BMI is too high or too low, relax. Visit your doctor and get a proper diagnosis of your weight. No fair freaking out on a bad BMI. Remember the 175-pound ballerina. Get to know your BMI and then get to your doctor and learn the real truth about your body.
By J.A. Romig | VEESH Writer | MAR.10.08