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Sunday, June 23, 2013

What Is the Average BMI?

What Is the Average BMI?

BMI stands for body mass index, and is a way to measure body fat that's based on height and weight and works for both men and women. The average BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9 percent, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. If your BMI is below 18.5 percent, you are underweight unless you are an elite athlete. If your BMI is between 25 and 29.9 percent, you're considered overweight. People with a BMI of over 30 percent are obese.

Benefits

    Reducing your BMI lowers the risk for heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. The body fat that contributes most to serious health problems is located around the waist and stomach. Obesity is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, which can result in heart attacks. Obesity results in higher blood cholesterol, higher triglyceride levels, lower HDL cholesterol, elevated blood pressure levels and can cause diabetes. Obesity can also cause conditions like degenerative joint disease, and is a major cause of gallstones.

Misconceptions

    Many people believe the percentages of protein, carbohydrates and fats have a direct effect on their BMI and whether or not they lose weight. To lose weight, you must simply use more calories than you consume. Diets that are lower in calories result in weight loss, regardless of the combination of protein, carbohydrates and fats people consume, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.

Solution

    The first step to losing weight and reducing your BMI is to determine your resting metabolic rate. Your resting metabolic rate is the number of calories your body burns in a day without exercising. The easiest way to determine your resting metabolic rate is to use a resting metabolic rate calculator online. If your resting metabolic rate is 2400, you must consume 1900 calories per day to lose one pound per week. If you cut your food intake by 500 calories and burn 500 calories a day through exercise, you will have a daily calorie deficit of 1,000 calories and lose two pounds per week.

    Calories are calories, but eating a diet that's high in protein increases satiety and may reduce your appetite for food, thus helping you lower your BMI, according to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Warning

    People should not try to lose more than a half a pound to two pounds per week, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. To lose one pound of body fat, you must create a calorie deficit of 3,500 calories over the course of a week. This equals a 500-calorie deficit per day.

Fun Fact

    Did you know that a Whopper from Burger King contains 670 calories and 11 grams of saturated fat? High saturated fat intake is a major risk factor for heart disease, according to the American Heart Association.

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