With the help of the BMI calculator, you can quickly see whether you have reached your ideal weight. However, the BMI value should not be overrated.
It is only a guideline. Therefore, the individual body composition of each person should be considered.
For example, it makes a difference whether the body weight is composed of fat or muscle mass. Furthermore, ideal weight does not equal ideal weight. Chubby people can have health advantages and a higher life expectancy than light people.
In this article, we will show you how to best interpret your BMI value and when the result is not meaningful. In addition, we will inform you about a healthy ideal weight and how you can achieve this feel-good weight for yourself.
What exactly does the body mass index say?
The body mass index is a key figure that puts your body weight in relation to your height. Based on this result, you can see whether you are in the ideal range or whether you have a few pounds too many on your hips.
Are you wondering whether you are overweight or whether your children are underweight? The BMI calculator will quickly give you an answer to this question. In addition, the results can be used to draw conclusions about your eating habits or your general fitness level.
When is someone considered to have an ideal weight according to BMI?
The BMI table is set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Most doctors use this classification to define underweight or overweight.
According to the WHO, BMI values between 18.5 and 24.9 are classified as normal weight and thus as ideal weight. People with a body mass index below this range are underweight. At BMI values from 25, one speaks of overweight and everything above 30 is classified as obesity.
The information is intended as a guide for adults. However, calculating your body mass index can also be useful for children. The BMI calculator for children will help you to interpret the results correctly.
Calculate your ideal weight with BMI!
When is BMI not meaningful?
The BMI is a guide. To accurately assess your healthy ideal weight, you need a precise evaluation of your body composition. This is because our body weight is largely made up of water, fat and muscle mass.
A high body weight can therefore also be achieved with a low fat percentage and high muscle mass. In addition, endurance athletes can be classified as underweight and still be completely healthy and fit.
The following list shows classic situations in which the body mass index is not considered meaningful:
- Strength athletes have a high muscle mass. This can lead to a high BMI and to an incorrect classification as overweight.
- Water retention, e.g. in oedemas, has the wrong effect on the BMI.
- People with a broad build can have a higher BMI without a high fat percentage.
- Endurance athletes such as runners can have a BMI in the underweight range and still be in top physical condition.
- The accuracy of the body mass index is limited for particularly large or small people.
What is the “healthiest ideal weight”?
A healthy ideal weight is a weight at which you feel comfortable. The information from the BMI calculator only provides us with a rough guide. Estimate for yourself which range is ideal.
Generally speaking, our metabolism changes with age. This has a significant influence on our fat percentage and thus also on our body mass index. If you are in the ideal range according to the BMI table, that's excellent. However, BMI values outside the recommended ideal weight range are also healthy.
A recent study even shows that chubby people have a longer life expectancy. According to the study, people with a BMI between 25 and 29 are healthy 1. The reason for this may be the fat reserves that are present, which allow for faster recovery after surgery or illness.
Gut feeling instead of body mass index
Your body mass index gives you an indication of your body weight in relation to your height. However, it is important that you listen to your own body. Trust your gut feeling when it comes to a healthy ideal weight.
Are you uncomfortable with your weight? Changing your eating habits can lead to the desired change. Losing weight healthily helps to improve your quality of life in the long term.
A warm breakfast with porridge or oat flakes can already make a big difference. A healthy meal in the morning covers all the important nutrients. In addition, the high fiber content of oats keeps you full for a long time.
Try our porridge products and find your ideal weight through healthy eating. You can find recipe ideas for a hot breakfast or helpful facts about healthy weight loss in our blog posts.
Do you already know VERIVAL's calorie calculator? It can be used to calculate your daily calorie requirement and can help you lose weight.
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This is how you quickly and easily calculate your BMI
Do you want to calculate your BMI? With our BMI calculator, you can quickly calculate your body mass index.
More about the BMI calculator!
- Hauner H. Overweight. Deutsches Aerzteblatt Online. Published online October 2, 2009. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2009.0639
