Body Mass Index

Body Mass Index is actually the measurement of your weight for your body surface area and it’s considered a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people.The two deciding factors are your weight and height. A BMI less than 18.5 is underweight. Below 25 is normal. A BMI of 25 through 29.9 is overweight, and 30 or higher is considered obese. However, these days many experts are questioning whether the BMI is an accurate way to measure a person’s fitness levels and general health. For example, people who are normally muscular or athletic or have high bone density would have a BMI comparable to someone who’s out of shape but that doesn’t mean they’re more prone to obesity-related lifestyle diseases. Therefore, nowadays there’s a greater tendency to measure a person’s body fat percentage which many believe is a more accurate indication of one’s health and well-being.

Excess weight during pregnancy may hinder development of your baby' brain

A new study has linked a mother's high body mass index during pregnancy to changes in fetal's brain areas which play a key role in decision-making and behaviour.
Your Waist Size Matters, Not Your BMI: Flatten Your Belly, Stay Healthy

The size of your waist is a much more accurate indicator of health than your weight, say researchers from the University of Alberta.
Both excessive weight and underweight can claim your life, says study

Having too much of weight or too less of it can actually be fatal and cause death, shows this recent study. Hence, be careful and try to maintain a moderate body mass index to avoid falling prey to fatal conditions.
Body Mass Index linked to mental health and these other conditions

Body Mass Index or BMI could be an indicator of several diseases and conditions including your mental health. That's why it's important to calculate and understand your BMI.
IVF-born children at risk of cardiovascular diseases, finds a study

Though the study was on a small scale, it collected data from different animal studies that found common blood vessels and heart abnormalities among mice born via IVF.
Babies who put on weight in first three years at risk of serious illness, finds study

In a study of more than 4000 children, weight gain in the first three years was found to affect the development of their lungs and the risk of asthma by the age of 10.
Want to lose weight? Reduce the time between breakfast and dinner, say researchers

A new study says if you reduce the time between your breakfast and dinner, which means have dinner at least half an hour early it can limit calorie intake and burn more fat.
Higher BMI may increase your blood pressure too

The research developed a strong connection between obesity and high blood pressure.
79% of school girls are at high risk of developing cardiovascular ailments, shows study

79% of school girls in Delhi and Mumbai in the age bracket of 5 to 17 years are on the brink of developing cardiovascular ailments, diabetes, obesity, cancer and more due to sedentary lifestyle and have overall poor health, shows this study.
Higher BMI in young adults may up CVD risk, says study

Being overweight caused enlargement of the left ventricle -- the heart's main pumping chamber.
Men and women choose coloured clothes based on their weight

The findings revealed that darker and multicolour clothes are preferred by women with higher BMIs, while men with larger BMIs are more likely to choose black or white garments.
BMI of one spouse linked to other spouse's risk of developing type 2 diabetes

According to research, early detection of type 2 diabetes can be improved if people change their approach to the disease.
Study: 'Eat more plant-based diet to avoid obesity in later life'

It also reported that in order to guard against obesity, one does not need to eliminate meat-based food entirely from diet.
Your belly fat may increase the risk of cancer

Obesity related to cancers such as breast, bowel, womb, oesophageal (food pipe), pancreatic, kidney, liver, upper stomach, gallbladder, ovarian, thyroid, etc.,
Children who recognize food name brands often eat items that lead to high body mass index

The scientists sought to determine if food brand recognition alone has any relevance for preschooler weight status.
Global obesity levels miss out more than 500 million fat people: study

Though official estimates say there are 600 million obese adults in the world, a new study claims that this estimate misses out more than half a billion fat people.
Did you know different areas in your body have different types of body fat?

The visceral fat in your belly can pose many health risks and the subcutaneous fat in your buttocks, hips and thighs can be very difficult to burn. Find out many such facts.
Want to live longer? Keep your body in shape

Study finds that overweight people have an increased mortality risk.
A new study has revealed that BMI is a 'flawed' measure of health

Read this before you go check your Body Mass Index (BMI). It could be wrong.
Men with waists 43 inches or greater 50% more likely to die younger!