The figures in the waist-to-hip chart below are based upon the standards set by the German Society for Sports Medicine and Prevention (DGSP). How to measure waist-to-hip measurements. Once you've done that, compare to our results chart below. Now divide the circumference of your waist by your hip circumference measurement. Using a tape measure, take a reading from your natural waist line and the widest part of your hips. How do you calculate your waist-to-hip ratio? We also have a waist-to-hip calculator here. You can read more about waist-to-hip ratio here. The waist-to-hip ratio is not only an excellent way of calculating how much excess weight you are carrying, it can also be used to indicate susceptibility to a number of health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. According to physicians, the following figures indicate individuals in the 'at risk' group: women with a waist circumference of 35 inches and over and men with a waist circumference of 40 inches and over. Knowing the circumference of your waist can help determine your risk of getting heart disease and other medical conditions. By measuring the natural waist you can get a good indication of the amount of abdominal fat you are carrying. One of the most effective alternatives to BMI is the old fashioned tape measure. BAI is useful in areas where scales may not be available, such as the jungle or desert. Although clinical studies have not shown any proof, it is widely believed that Body Adiposity Index is more accurate than BMI as the resulting figures are approximate. In order to work out your percentage body fat, BAI multiplies your hip circumference by your height. Advertisements Body Adiposity IndexīAI is unlike BMI as it does not use your weight in the calculation. Let's have a quick at some of the alternatives available to you. In fact, combining one or more of the methods shown below will give you a far more accurate indication of how much body fat you are carrying. Nick explained that the problem with the current BMI formula is that humans do not grow equally in all three dimensions.Ĭonfused about what to think? Don't panic! There are alternatives to BMI. In 2013, Nick Trefethen, a member of Oxford University's Mathematical Institute, came up with an alternative and improved formula for BMI. Finally, carrying a lot of muscle can give an inaccurate BMI reading. Another problem is that men and women can have the same percentage of fat but different BMI readings. The first problem is that it doesn't give a real estimate for the percentage of body fat. However, the method, which has been in use since the 1840's, has some weaknesses. The practical guide: identification, evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults - National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).Many doctors and healthcare professionals use BMI as a guide when they are assessing the general health of patients.It goes without saying that you should always speak to a Doctor or health professional for advice and guidance if you are concerned about your weight. You can read more about his research in this HealthyDebate article published in 2016.Īlternatives to BMI do exist for those who consider BMI an inaccurate measurement tool. In a study published in the Journal of Economics in 2008, John Cawley, professor at Cornell University, was able to demonstrate that, relative to percent body fat, BMI appears to misclassify substantial fractions of individuals as obese or non-obese. So, although they may seem to have a weight within the normal BMI range, their measurement actually needs to be scaled-down to reflect this. Similarly, as people age their bone density decreases. For example, professional athletes are often considered overweight or obese when using BMI measurements due to their muscle content, which weighs more than fat. ![]() ![]() It is a common argument that the results the BMI formula provides are too general and do not consider the gender, build, age or ethnicity of a person. We can't feature an article about the BMI formula without touching upon some of the controversies surrounding it. Advertisement The BMI formula remains controversial For a full chart of BMI values, customised for your own height and weight, see my interactive BMI chart.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |