What is BMI?
BMI Weight Status
Below 18.5 Underweight
Being underweight can result in fatigue, brittle bones, and a
weaker immune system.
18.5 – 24.9 Healthy Weight
This is the ideal range for healthy people.
25.0 – 29.9 Overweight
Abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to
health.
30.0 and Above Obesity
Having obesity can increase risk for chronic conditions, such
as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Body mass index (BMI) is calculated by dividing a person's height in meters squared by their
weight in kilograms. The BMI is a low-cost and simple method for determining a person's weight
category—underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obese. Although BMI does not directly
measure body fat 1, 2, 3, it is somewhat linked with more precise measurements of body fat.
Furthermore, these more precise measurements of body fatness appear to be connected with
various metabolic and illness outcomes just as strongly as BMI.
Why should you exercise?
Every organ in the body, including the mind, benefits from exercise. Learning and brain health
are enhanced by exercise. It may improve sleep for some people. Your body produces feel-good
molecules when you workout. Exercise reduces anxiety and your risk of developing depression.
Additionally, working out can make you feel proud of yourself for achieving a goal, such as
learning a new dance move or breaking a previous 100-meter dash record (Gavin, 2022).
How should we exercise?
The Department of Health and Human Services suggests aerobic exercise for the majority of
healthy adults. Get 75 minutes of severe aerobic exercise, 150 minutes of moderate aerobic
exercise, or a combination of the two per week. I suggest doing simple exercises that you can
do in your home, such as planks, push ups, squats, pull ups, etc. Make sure to also work in
cardio like running, jump rope, cycling, etc.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, June 3). About Adult BMI.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html
Gavin, M. D. M. L. (2022). Why Exercise Is Wise (for Teens) - Nemours
KidsHealth. Kidshealth.org.
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/exercise-wise.html
