Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
In some countries health authorities say the lower limit for BMI is 20, anything below it is
underweight.
Many experts criticize BMI as not generally useful in evaluation of health. It is at best a rough
ballpark basic standard that may indicate population variations, but should not be used for
individuals in health care.
Put simply: experts say that BMI underestimates the amount of body fat in overweight/obese people
and overestimates it in lean or muscular people.
More information on BMI, together with imperial and metric BMI calculators, is available here.
Nick Trefethen, a Professor of Numerical Analysis at Oxford University's Mathematical Institute, has
created what he believes to be a better, more accurate and relevant formula than the BMI one for
deciding whether people are carrying too much fat. Humans do not grow equally in all three
dimensions, he explains - the existing BMI formula presumes we do.
Ads by Google
Lose 10 Pounds In 3 Days - The Ultimate Healthy Living Toolbar Get Daily Fitness
Tips & More. Free - www.dailyfitnesscenter.com
2014 Best Skin Tighteners - An Unbiased Review List of The Top Performing Skin
Tighteners In 2014 - www.skincaresearch.com/FaceLifting
Zorgvilla's de Haesegroep - Verzorgingshuis, Zorghotel, Particuliere zorg & Luxe
zorg -www.haesegroep.nl
Female WHR
The WHR of a person is a much better indicator of whether their body weight is ideal and what their
risks of developing serious health conditions are, compared to BMI. Various studies have shown that
people with apple-shaped bodies - who have larger WHRs - have higher health risks compared to
people with pear-shaped bodies - who have lower WHRs. An apple-shaped person will have more
fat accumulating on the waist, while a pear-shaped person has the fat accumulating on the hips.
A woman with a WHR of less than 0.8 is generally healthier and more fertile than females with higher
WHRs. They are less likely to develop diabetes, most cancers, or cardiovascular disorders. Similarly,
men with a WHR no more than 9 are generally healthier and more fertile than men with higher
WHRs, and less likely to develop serious conditions or diseases.
Studies indicate that if WHR were to replace BMI as a predictor of heart attack worldwide, figures
would include many more people.
What is the problem with WHR?
WHR does not accurately measure a person's total body fat percentage, or their muscle-to-fat ratio.
However, it is a better predictor of ideal weight and health risks than BMI.
Waist-to-Height Ratio
Dr Margaret Ashwell, who used to be science director of the British Nutrition Foundation, and team
have found that waist-to-height ratio is better at predicting future heart disease and diabetes risk
than BMI.
Dr. Ashwell presented their findings at the 19th Congress on Obesity in Lyon, France, on 12th May,
2012.
Dr. Ashwell said, in an interview withThe Daily Telegraph, a leading UK newspaper:
"Keeping your waist circumference to less than half your height can help increase life expectancy for
every person in the world."
Therefore:
A man 6ft (72 inches, 183 cm) tall, should keep his waist measurement below 36 inches (91
cm)
A woman 5ft 4 inches, i.e. 64 inches (163 cm) tall, should keep her waist measurement
below 32 inches (81 cm)
Dr. Ashwell says waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) should be used as a screening tool.
The team found that after analyzing several studies involving approximately 300,000 people, they
concluded that WHtR is better at predicting heart attacks, stroked, diabetes, and hypertension risk
compared to BMI.
Ashwell explains that BMI does not take into account fat distribution around the body. The
accumulation of abdominal fat (visceral fat) may be harmful for the heart, kidneys and liver, while fat
build-up around the hips and bottom is less hazardous to health.
The researchers added that WHtR is much simpler for people to work out:
Keep your waist circumference to less than half your height"
How do you measure your waist? - measure it mid-way between the lower rip and the iliac crest
(the top of the pelvic bone at the hip), says WHO (World Health Organization). ("Waist To Height
Ratio Better Than BMI". Catharine Paddock PhD. Medical News Today. 13 May 2012)
Essential fat - this is the amount of fat we need to survive. Women require a higher
percentage than men. Essential fat is 2%-5% in men, and 10%-13% in women.
Storage fat - this consists of fat accumulation in adipose tissue, some of which protects our
internal organs in the chest and abdomen.
Total body fat percentage - this is essential fat plus storage fat.
Women 10-12%
Men 2-4%
Total fat
Athletes
Men 6-13%
Women 14-20%
Men 14-17%%
Women 21-24
Acceptable
Men 18-25%
Women 25-31%
Overweight
Men 26-37%
Women 32-41%
Obese
Many experts say that calculating people's body fat percentage is the best way to gauge their fitness
level because it is the only measurement that includes the body's true composition. Any male whose
body fat percentage is over 25% or female over 31% is either overweight or possibly obese.
Body fat percentage would not make the couch potato seem fitter than the 100 meter Olympic
champion - as was the case with BMI.
There are various ways of calculating a person's body fat percentage. None of them can give a
100% accurate figure, but the estimates are accepted as fairly close. Examples include near-infrared
interactance, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and bioelectrical impedance analysis.
Many gyms and doctor's practices have devices that can tell you what your body fat percentage is.
Conclusion
This article has briefly explained four ways to help you find out whether your weight is ideal, and
what your target should be if it is not. You can work out your BMI (body mass index), WHR (waist-hip
ratio), WHtR (waist-height ratio) or Body Fat Percentage.
BMI, WHR and WHtR can be done easily in your home. WHR and WHtR are more accurate than
BMI. However, BMI is a useful indicator if you are an "average" person - not an Olympic athlete or a
dedicated weight trainer.
If you embark on a weight loss regime that includes exercise and diet, bear in mind that the exercise
will probably increase your muscle mass, which may increase your weight, even though your waist
may shrink. Muscle weighs more than fat.
It might be better to aim for target waist, hips and chest measurements. A Waist-hip ratio goal is also
possible. If you feel really dedicated, check your Body Fat Percentage; if you are not happy with the
reading, discuss a realistic target with a nutritionist, sports scientist, or personal trainer and go for it!