| One way you can estimate how much fat content | | | | be at high risk for certain health problems including |
| you have in your body is with a measurement called | | | | heart disease, hypertension, stroke, gall bladder |
| BMI or body mass index, which is simply a number | | | | disease, diabetes and cancer or even death if you |
| you calculate using your weight and your height. You | | | | stay on your unhealthy path. However, these |
| can calculate your personal BMI by following the | | | | guidelines are considered controversial to some |
| steps below.o The first step is to multiply your height | | | | people, including some of the members on the |
| in inches by your height in inches. (For example, if | | | | government panel that issued them. So, the best |
| you are 5'6" you would multiply 66 x 66)o Now you | | | | advice is to eat healthy and get daily exercise to |
| divide your weight in pounds by the answer you got | | | | ensure you are leading a healthy lifestyle. |
| from the first step.o The last thing you need to do | | | | The most important thing to remember after you |
| to calculate your BMI is multiply the answer for step | | | | calculate your body mass index is that is only one |
| 2 by.705. | | | | factor to be considered in your overall health. Other |
| Congratulations! You have just calculated your BMI. | | | | factors include your medical history, your diet and |
| Now that you know what your BMI is, what exactly | | | | your daily exercise regimen. Another thing you need |
| does it mean? This is a good question and the | | | | to know is that a BMI measurement is not |
| answer to it may surprise you. A body mass index | | | | considered an accurate means for calculating body |
| below 19 is considered too low and you would be | | | | fat for pregnant women or for athletes that are |
| considered underweight. What is considered to be a | | | | extremely muscular. The reasoning behind pregnant |
| healthy BMI is between 19 and 24.9, a BMI 25 to 29.9 | | | | women is pretty obvious - they are not at their |
| is considered overweight and anything 30 or higher | | | | normal body weight and are carrying an extra little |
| would be considered obese. | | | | person at the moment. Athletes that have a strong |
| Knowing what your body mass index calculation is | | | | muscular build will not get an accurate reading either |
| can be a very useful tool. For instance, did you know | | | | as muscle weighs more than fat and this can throw |
| people with a BMI higher than 25 are considered to | | | | off the numbers as well. |