BMI calculator for men: What a healthy BMI is and how to measure it

BMI calculator for men: What a healthy BMI is and how to measure it

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Using a body mass index (BMI) calculator can help a person determine whether their weight is within the recommended range for their height. However, BMI calculations have several important limitations in everyone, including men. BMI is one measure of body size. It is a calculation of a person’s body mass based on their weight relative to their height. Doctors generally consider people whose BMI is within the “normal” range to have a healthy BMI. Individuals below this range may have underweight, while those above this range may have overweight or obesity. However, BMI may not be the most accurate indicator of whether a person’s weight is healthful for several reasons. This article explores what BMI is and looks at how to calculate it. It also considers the recommended BMI ranges, the potential limitations of using BMI as an indicator of health, and tips to maintain a moderate BMI.

What is BMI? Share on Pinterest kali9/Getty Images A BMI calculator for men assesses a man’s target weight range based on his height. Doctors use the same calculator for all people over the age of 20 years. The calculation is the same regardless of age, sex, race, body composition, and other factors. It is possible to calculate BMI by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms (kg) by their height in meters squared (m2). For example, a person who is 5 feet 6 inches (or 66 inches) tall has a metric height of 1.6764 m. If that person weighs 150 pounds, their metric weight will be 68.0389 kg. To calculate their BMI: Square 1.6764 m by multiplying 1.6764 by 1.6764. This produces the answer 2.81031696. Divide the person’s weight of 68.0389 by 2.81031696. The answer rounds to 24.2, for a BMI of 24.2. Many health advocates argue that BMI is not a good measure of whether a person has a moderate weight. Some argue that even if a person has overweight or obesity, this does not necessarily reveal much about their health. A handful of recent studies support this claim, so a person should not use BMI as the sole measure of their health.

Shortcomings of BMI Some shortcomings of BMI include: BMI does not take into account body composition. As a result, some people with very high body fat but a low overall weight may have a BMI within the normal range. Likewise, people with more dense bones or athletes with high muscle content may fall into the overweight category or even the obese category.

While population level studies show an association between a BMI outside the normal range and a higher risk of certain weight-related health problems, these studies do not necessarily reflect the risk for all individuals.

BMI does not take into account fat distribution. Some evidence suggests that certain types of fat, such as abdominal fat, present a higher health risk.

A focus on BMI may contribute to weight stigma and weight discrimination in healthcare settings.

What is the recommended BMI? The BMI ranges are as follows: Under 18.5: A person has underweight and may be at risk of certain weight-related health issues.

A person has underweight and may be at risk of certain weight-related health issues. Between 18.5 and 24.9: A person is within the normal weight range.

A person is within the normal weight range. Between 25 and 29.9: A person has overweight and may be at risk of certain weight-related health issues.

A person has overweight and may be at risk of certain weight-related health issues. 30 and above: A person has obesity and may be at risk of certain weight-related health issues. BMI does not take into account body composition, age, race, sex, athletic involvement, or other factors. It does not assess lifestyle, diet, or anything else that may help mitigate the potential health effects of having a high body weight. A person’s ideal BMI does not change with various health conditions. However, certain health issues may affect their ability to maintain a BMI within the recommended range. For this reason, it is sometimes important to discuss weight changes, diet, and exercise with a doctor. People should discuss their BMI with a doctor if: it remains outside of the normal range despite them eating a healthful diet and exercising regularly

they need help losing or gaining weight

they think that their body composition may mean that BMI is not a reliable health metric

Maintaining a moderate BMI Not everyone can maintain a BMI in the normal range, even with a healthful diet and plenty of exercise. Elite athletes with high muscle mass, for example, may fall into the overweight range. Similarly, being in the normal range does not necessarily mean that a person is healthy. People who eat unhealthful foods and never exercise may still have a moderate BMI. For this reason, the best strategy is to focus on promoting general health. For most people, this will make it easier to attain a BMI in the normal range. People looking to promote their health can try: Exercising most days of the week: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that adults get either 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise, such as walking, or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise, such as running, each week. Adults should also do strength-based exercises at least twice per week.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that adults get either 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise, such as walking, or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise, such as running, each week. Adults should also do strength-based exercises at least twice per week. Eating a healthful, balanced diet: Although it is important to limit the intake of very high calorie or high fat foods, people should avoid crash or fad diets.

Although it is important to limit the intake of very high calorie or high fat foods, people should avoid crash or fad diets. Talking to a doctor if it is hard to maintain a moderate weight: Sometimes, weight gain signals an underlying health issue, such as a thyroid condition.

Your chances of being hospitalised with coronavirus, according to new 23andMe calculator

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A NEW online calculator that reveals your risk of being hospitalised with coronavirus has been launched.

The Covid-19 Severity Calculator, created by DNA testing company 23andMe, asks for details such as your age, sex, ethnicity and if you have any pre-existing conditions.

The calculator then tells you how likely you are to have a severe case of coronavirus.

This comes as at least 395,781 UK patients were admitted to hospital since the start of the pandemic, according to Government figures reported up to Friday, January 29.

There are at least 32,466 people in hospital.

The 23andMe calculator

What are some of the results?

For example, if you are a European woman in your 20s who weighs 112 pounds and is 5ft3ins with no health conditions, you have a one to five percent risk of being hospitalized with COVID-19.

A 6ft African-American man in his 40s weighing in at 168 pounds, with high blood pressure and exercises zero times a week has a 10 per cent chance of a bad infection.

A 60-year-old Hispanic or Latino woman who has Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and weighs 140 pounds has a 12 per cent risk of having a severe reaction to the deadly bug.

The 23andMe calculator

How was the research gathered?

The calculator’s data comes from a COVID-19 study 23andMe ran with one million participants, which started in April and finished in July.

Out of those who took part, 10,000 tested positive for the virus and 750 were hospitalised with COVID-19.

However, the tool does not include every factor that can impact someone’s chances of being hospitalised due to coronavirus.

The site states: “Studies have found that genetics and additional underlying health conditions may impact the likelihood of being hospitalised.

“This tool does not take into account personal genetic information, nor does it predict any individual person’s chances of being hospitalised if they become infected with the coronavirus.

“The best way to understand your personal risk is by talking with your doctor.”

23andMe calculator link

To find out how likely you are to be hospitalised from coronavirus, visit the 23andMe website.

Newsquest is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Find out where you are in the UK Covid vaccine queue with our brand new calculator

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Written and developed by Deb Aru and Carlos Novoa

Our brand new calculator is able to tell you roughly when to expect to receive the first and second dose of the coronavirus vaccine.

The UK began rolling out the vaccine on December 8. As of February 1, nearly 9million people have had the first jab, and 491,053 the second.

Certain groups are being prioritised, but the government has vowed to have everyone vaccinated by autumn.

Choose the options that apply to you in the calculator below to see roughly where your group is in the queue.

This widget requires javascript to work. Vaccine Queue Calculator For the UK

On December 2, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved for use in the UK, becoming the first coronavirus vaccine to be authorised anywhere in the world.

The government began administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on December 8, with Margaret Keenan, a grandmother from Coventry, the first person in the world to receive a Covid vaccination.

This was followed on December 30 by the approval of the cheaper and easier to distribute Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

A third vaccine, produced by Moderna, was approved for use in the UK in early January, with several others expected to follow in the first quarter of 2021.

In December, the government published a list of nine vulnerable groups who will be given priority, following the advice of the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

The list is as follows, in order of priority:

1. Residents in a care home for older adults and their carers

2. All those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers

3. All those 75 years of age and over

4. All those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals

5. All those 65 years of age and over

6. All individuals aged 16 to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality

7. All those 60 years of age and over

8. All those 55 years of age and over

9. All those 50 years of age and over

Vaccine rollout started with the most vulnerable people before moving down through age groups and risk levels.

The plan has three phases, with the government committing to offer the vaccine to the top four priority groups, around 15m people in the UK, by mid-February.

Then the vaccine will be offered to the remaining priority groups, around 17million people in the UK, by mid-April, and all remaining adults in the UK by the autumn.

By visiting inyourarea.co.uk/coronavirus you can find localised coronavirus information including the latest number of cases where you are, the nearest vaccination centres to you and how many people in each UK nation have so far had the first dose of the vaccine.