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Do you want to follow a diet? You want to get in shape? Lose some weight? Get rid of belly fat? A healthy, well balanced diet plan will help you achieve your ideal weight to lower the risk of overweight or obesity. First of all, don’t forget to find out your BMI, body mass index, that will help you determine your current weight status as either overweight, obese or simply normal.

Remember : before starting your weight loss smart regime, calculate your ideal body weight...

The body mass index (BMI), also known as Quetelet index, is a measure of body fat that was first introduced by a Belgian statistician named Adolphe Quetelet.

To work out you BMI : divide your weight (in kilograms) by your height (in metres) squared.
For example :

A woman who is 1,55m tall and weights 59kg : BMI = 59 / (1,55 x 1,55) = 24,55

The BMI interest

In 1997 the World Health Organisation (WHO) set the BMI as a standard for evaluation of obesity-related risks among adults. The BMI ranges classification (underweight, normal, overweight, obese) is based on a statistical correlation between body mass index and mortality.

The BMI is used to identify increased disease risk. It does not measure body fat directly, nor does it provide any indication of muscle or bone mass.

The high BMI (of 35 points or higher) is associated with higher level of obesity-related mortality, with an increased risk of CVD-related deaths, some cancers and diabetes.

The BMI between 18 and 25 indicates a normal weight. (which means the level of risk is acceptable in accordance with statistical standards).

Moreover, this risk index does not take into account the amount of muscle and bone mass. Care has to be taken in applying these ranges to some categories of people, especially athletes, who often find themselves in the overweight range although their physical fitness is usually above average.

It’s also should not be applied to pregnant, breastfeeding women, victims of amputation injuries and people with dwarfism and gigantism.

However, the interpretation of the BMI impact on mortality is not straightforward as it ignores possible gender, age, ethnic differences as well as body fat distribution ( as the abdominal fat in particular has a major impact on health and physical state). The weight status assessment using the BMI must be undertaken by a qualified dietitian.

Ideal body weight formula

Using statistical methods in anthropometric studies Quetelet came up with index for determining person’s ideal weight :

Using the average BMI index 22, you can calculate your ideal weight :

For example, a woman 1.70m tall should weight (1.70 x 1.70) x 22= about 64kg to maintain overall health and reduce the risks associated with being overweight or underweight.