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B is for Body Mass Index
The Body Mass Index or BMI is one method of assessing overweight and obesity in the general adult population. BMI is a measure of a person’s weight relative to their height. BMI is a reliable indicator of total body fat, which is related to the risk of disease and death. The method does, however, have some limits. The calculation can overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build, and it may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle mass.
Recent Australian data shows that 48.2% of men and 29.9% of women are considered overweight, with a further 19.3% of both men and 22.2% of women are being classified as obese. We therefore have many people at risk of negative long-term health and well-being outcomes relating to overweight and obesity.
At the individual level overweight and obesity can be a very complex physiological and behavioural problem, but in general, excess weight is the outcome of a long term imbalance between energy intake from food (too much) and energy expenditure in terms of physical activity (too little).
There are many ways that people use to lose weight. A sensible combination of diet and exercise (physical activity) remains the most accepted approach. It is important to remember that weight was put on slowly, and it should, ideally come off slowly.
In terms of physical activity, small changes carried out over long periods of time can positively affect your energy balance. In simplistic terms, an increase in physical activity by approximately 4,000 steps per day – the equivalent to a 30-40minute walk – will result in a net loss of approximately .2 kilograms per week. Why not start today?
Written by Professor Kerry Mummery
College of Health and Human Services
CQUniversity
