Understanding our health can sometimes seem like solving a complex riddle. Unless you’re one of the lucky few who graduated with a degree in the medical field, the majority of health jargon goes straight over our heads. That’s where I come in. Your personal decoder ring for all that is complex in the health and fitness industry. Let’s set our sights on ‘Body Mass Index’ or as its pals in the fitness industry call it, ‘BMI’. Ready to go down the rabbit hole? Let’s jump in!

What’s This BMI Jargon?

First, let’s clear up any confusion: Body Mass Index (or BMI for short) isn’t a trendy new diet joining the ranks of Keto or Paleo. Far from it! BMI is a simple calculation designed to measure body fat based on your weight and height. It’s been around for a good while, making its first appearance in the early 19th Century thanks to a mathematician…yes, you read that right, it wasn’t a doctor or a fitness guru!

Cracking the Code on BMI

There’s a numerical dance at the heart of BMI. It’s calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared. For those still in love with the Imperial system, don’t worry! Your weight in pounds can also be plugged in, as long as it’s divided by the square of your height in inches and the total equation is multiplied by 703. Simple, right? More like a high school math problem you wish you forgot!

Understanding Your BMI

Once you’ve braved the mathematical maze to find your BMI, you’ll end up with a tidy little number. Now, it’s time to figure out what it means.

For adults, BMI results are usually segmented into four categories:

• Underweight: if your BMI is less than 18.5
• Normal weight: if your BMI is 18.5 to 24.9
• Overweight: if your BMI is 25 to 29.9
• Obesity: if your BMI is 30 or higher

Let’s Play Devil’s Advocate With BMI

Before you stake your life on your BMI number, take a deep breath. Just like the Koh-i-Noor Diamond, it’s not flawless. For example, it doesn’t differentiate between muscle and fat. So if you’re a bodybuilder or athlete with a high muscle to fat ratio, your BMI might trick you into thinking you’re overweight. Which is simply not true! So, like any fitness guide or tool, BMI should only be a piece of the puzzle, not the whole enchilada.

The Take-Away Message (and it’s not from a burger joint)

To sum up, BMI is a useful tool for giving us a round-about idea of our health, but it’s by far not the be-all and end-all. Your journey to health and fitness is unique to you and your body’s individual requirements. So take your BMI with a grain of salt, or perhaps a protein shake, and remember it’s only one element of a nuanced picture. On your drive to become the best version of yourself, ensure you factor in other measurements too, like the mirror test, how you feel physically and emotionally, and advice from health care professionals.

Remember, whether you’re underweight, overweight, or just right, you’re still phenomenal. Keep moving, keep smiling, and keep those fitness goals in sight.