Oct. 7--In the ongoing battle to become healthier, one of the tools health care professionals most often rely on is also one of the least understood by the public.
A person's BMI, or body mass index, is calculated from their height and weight. Doctors consider it to be a scientific guide to whether a person is at their healthiest weight.
According to the National Heart Lung and Blood institute, the BMI categories are:
--Underweight -- Less than 18.5.
--Normal weight -- 18.5 to 24.9.
--Overweight -- 25 to 29.9.
--Obesity -- BMI of 30 or greater.
As one example, a person 5 feet 6 inches tall weighing 175 pounds has a BMI of 28.2 and would be considered overweight. The calculation has to be done via a chart provided by a health care provider or through an online calculator or chart.
Lee Griffin, 70, attended a recent health and fitness presentation by Dr. James Baker at Muskogee Swim and Fitness Center. He learned that his BMI is slightly above normal.
"If that number is too high, we're putting ourselves at risk for heart attack, stroke or diabetes," Griffin said. "The BMI measurement is not familiar to people. I went home and went online to find a BMI table. I looked up my weight and my height of 67 inches, and it gave me my BMI."
Griffin said he's glad he knows where he stands, but he gets the impression the typical person just relies on their bathroom scales instead of their BMI.
"I don't think the average person really knows what it is," he said. "It's tied to your height and weight. It's useful because it gives you an area you ought to be hitting."
"In my case I need to lose just a few more pounds. I have lost five pounds during the last couple of weeks. But I'm trying to get from 170 to 159 pounds."
"I've been exercising very aggressively and eating less food. I've been drinking more water and orange juice. I've also cut out soft drinks completely; that cuts out some sugar and calories."
"I'd like to live longer and have a good quality of life. Keeping my BMI in the correct zone also helps with disease prevention."
Kent Kamp, a trainer with Muskogee Swim and Fitness Center, said the BMI measurement is one of two tools used to assess someone signing up for a fitness program. The skin fold test they also use requires special tools and is not as easily accessible as BMI results.
"The BMI is a good place to start, especially if the person is extremely overweight," he said. "BMI has been around since maybe the 1970s. Since about that time, the fitness movement has slowly picked up pace."
Kamp said that once a person's BMI is established, there are professionally administered tests like the skin fold test that can reveal more fine detail.
"They may need more strength training, depending on the level of their fitness test," he said. "Nutrition plays a big role. Along with exercise, you need a good combination to be able to lose weight. You just need to stay focused and be doing the best you can."
Reach Keith Purtell at 684-2929.
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