What is body mass index or BMI?
The body mass index otherwise known as BMI, is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight. The result typically in the range of 15 to 60 is known as the BMI or body mass index score. Most health organizations put a healthy BMI score between 19.5 and 25.0.
Individuals with a body mass index under 19.5 are considered underweight. A BMI this low can indicate an undernourished individual. Your body needs "meat on your bones", to be able store energy.
If your BMI is between 25.0 and 29.9 you are considered overweight. Many athletes will fall into this range, and while it is true that their conditioning is high, there is still a lot of "mass" for the body to pump blood and provide oxygen to.
A body mass index greater or equal 30 is described as obese. Your body is under greater daily strain simply because of your weight. Your organs are not designed to work this extra hard, on a sustained daily basis.
Your body mass index is not about what weight you look the best at, it is what weight are you the healthiest with the energy stores your body needs, and the amount of tissue your organs must provide blood and oxygen to.
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