Maintaining a Healthy Body Mass Index

The body mass index is a way of statistically measuring the amount of fat in a person’s body based on their height and weight. Where the body mass fits within the range determines whether or not a person’s mass is within certain limits, or whether it exceeds those limits, which could lead to future health problems. 

The use of the body mass index range has been heavily criticized by some experts. In spite of criticisms the BMI is a relatively easy and cheap way for men and women to be able to assess their weight within a given range - ranges vary depending on a person’s height and weight This is for adults, if the BMI is used for children then age and gender need also to be taken into consideration. It needs to be remembered that body mass alone is not necessarily an indication of how health an individual may or may not be – and each height and weight group has its own range. 

Although BMI range should not be used in isolation, it can determine whether or not a person is over or underweight for their range. While this is not necessarily an indication of health, keeping within a good range, will mean that you are less likely to suffer from certain conditions such as obesity and high blood pressure. 

Dietary changes are one way of helping you to keep within a good body mass index range. The fact of the matter is that in the west there is far too much fat, salt and sugar in our diets. Changing our eating habits to include more whole grain foods and fresh fruit and vegetables is the first step to staying healthy and keeping within what might be seen as a good range.

If you want to know whether you have a good BMI range then the thing to do is get is checked or check it yourself with the aid of one of the many articles and websites that are out there. At the same time you should also check what people in your BMI range are advised to eat and drink; if you take in more food than is necessary for you body weight then you run the risk of putting on weight and becoming obese.

You should have at least five helpings of some form of fruit or vegetables a day if you want to keep your weight down and avoid the risk of illnesses such as cancer and cardio vascular diseases. 

Eat more lean protein, with every meal if you can because protein not only helps build muscle and promote inner health it also helps a person to feel full for longer, which means less inclination to snack. 

If you follow these simple tips and combine them with regular exercise then you stand a very good chance of keeping your BMI within a good range.