BMI & Personal Weight

What is BMI (Body Mass Index)?

How is it calculated and what use is it to me and Insurance companies?

BMI is a number based on a person’s weight and height that provides a way to estimate the effect of weight on health. The higher the BMI, the greater the risk of diseases such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, some cancers, and type 2 diabetes.

Body Mass Index is a number from 10-50 and is calculated by dividing a person’s height in inches by 703 by weight in lbs. squared.   This is rated on  an  age with gender (Male / Female) scale.

A link to see how to calculate your BMI.

This is the most basic thing that insurance companies use to grade or underwrite a person or applicant. BMI not only comes into play when insuring a person, but for your own self preservation and the ones you love you should look at this and work to keep oneself in a good range.

Each person “lifestyle” can influence your personal health and well being. That is how we live. To be more precise what we eat, how much exercise we do or do-not get and how much proper rest we get. Also all other things we put into our body can and do have an effect

If you work with a doctor or physician, then ask about  this topic and your weight in particular. If you do not see a medical professional on a regular basis, I encourage you to do so. With early detection of any problem, you may be able to make an easy choice verses late detection where your choices may be limited.  I am all for giving you and me choice.

The first goal, as I see it, is to keep your weight in a stable range. Then if like me you are a little over weight, set a goal with the help of a Doctor, your local gym or a friend to make a change for yourself and the ones you love.

BMI Calculators

I like this BMI Calculator created by   Steven B. Halls, MD (in Canada) and you can use  English or metric measurements.  He gives you two reference scales to  grade your BMI on.

WebMD’s BMI-plus Calc is a nice tool as well.

NIH (National Institute of Health) BMI Calculator.

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