BMI (Body Mass Index) is considered a key way to identify how well the average person is in relation to their height and weight. The higher the BMI, the more obese a person is considered and that is normally detrimental to health. But how is it calculated and is it really that important?
The study we found today comes from the annals of internal Medicine: March 2017. It’s a wide study on population that looks at about 225,000 people over 12 years. It notes mostly people who are considered morbidly obese (individuals with a BMI of over 35).
If you don’t already know, BMI takes your height and weight and looks at how they relate to determine if you are at a healthy weight for your height. Some argue that fit people who have a higher BMI due to muscle will often have clinically high false readings on BMI.
While this is true, for the average population, this study showed that people who are considered morbidly obese were actually found to be two times more likely to die from any cause. These same people are three times more likely to die of heart disease, as well as 50 percent more likely to die from cancer.
If you do not know what your BMI is, follow these steps to find out:
- Weight in lbs x .45
- Height in inches x .025
- Ans 2 x ans 2
- Ans 1/ ans 3= BMI
Or, you can search up “BMI calculator” online, and put your information in there and see what comes up.
We do see many people come in who do have higher BMIs and thus weight. Being over weight is just one reason why a person may be suffering from back pain or from neck pain. The extra burden of weight puts its toll on a person and so whenever we do see patients in this category, we help to advise through better diet, exercise and even refer on to their primary for more help. At the end of the day, being in your ideal BMI range is beneficial for your health and for your joints too.
If you need any help with weight management, let your primary care physician know, and they may be able to refer you to a nutritionist.
If you have any questions on our treatment options in Springfield, please contact us, we would be happy to help you and see what we can do for you.
In pain? Want a tune up?
Schedule an appointment or download our mobile booking app. Enter clinic ID FQUNCG.
