Your Weight, Your Health......

A problem we often see in most parts of the world is over weight or obesity. Where there are nations with no food at all for some regions even show some amount of obesity. But why? Why do people get fat? We eat, we work out but still obesity is a problem for you?

I've known people who are born fat. Some gain weight over time and then there are people no matter what they eat or how much they eat, they never get fat. Kinda jealous about them right? It's not only food that should be considered regarding getting fat or thin but other facts like, the amount of good fat you eat, the amount of exercise you do, your age, your sex, they all play a part.

First of all, let's see what's a healthy weight......

As you all know, the simplest way to determine your healthy weight is the BMI. BMI means Body Mass Index. BMI is determined by dividing your weight from the square of your height. When you measure your weight in kg, your height should be in meters or else if you measure your weight in pounds, height should be measured in inches. BMI does not measure your body fat but merely gives an idea about the fat in your body. Now the healthy range of the results of BMI lies between 18.5 to 24.9. That means you have proper weight for your height. 

The gist of the BMI,

BMI = Weight (kg)

                         Height x Height (mxm)

Categories according to the results of BMI

Below 18.5

If your result lies between 18.5 that means your are under weight. Your height is not proportionate to your weight. 

Between 18.5 to 24.9 

This means your body weight is proportionate to your height. Although you fall within the normal range, it necessarily doesn't mean that you don't have to worry. Still with proper exercise and healthy eating you can continue your BMI value. Also be concerned if your BMI value is leaned towards the either ends.

Above 25

You have a chance till 29 because not everyone's body is the same and some have big thighs, wider hips etc naturally. But above 30 means you are over weight and you have to lose weight. Your weight already may be causing you some health problems.

Please remember that one can still be healthy even though his/her BMI does not lie in the normal range. 

There are other ways to calculate whether you are healthy or not. One such way is determining your body shape. There are fundamentally four body shapes identified. (This is mostly for women) A shape is determined by the calculation of bust, waist and hip measurements. 

Courtesy of Calculator.net 

Banana Shape or Straight

Usually the hip or bust measurement is only 9 inches more than the waist. 

Apple Shape

These women have broader upper area with wider shoulders, big bust and relatively smaller hip area.

Pear Shape

Pear shape women have more hip measurement that bust.

Hourglass Shape

Here, the hip and the bust are almost the same size.

Hourglass shape is considered the most appropriate shape for women. But pear shape is accepted healthy because considering apple shape it has lower risks of health. Apple shaped women are more prone to heart diseases and diabetes. 

To determine your body shape,

Measure your waist through the belly point in a relaxed position. Now measure your hips through the lowest point of your thighs. Divide your waist by hip measurement.

For men. this value is above 0.9 and for women is above 0.8, then they have apple shape.

We'll discuss how to get a healthy body weight next time.

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