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BMI

Body Mass Index

What is BMI?

BMI is a measurement of a person's weight with respect to his or her height. It is widely used in Hong Kong as an indicator of a person's total body fat. ​

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Although BMI does not measure the body fat directly, it is moderately correlated with more direct measures of body fat. This means that the higher the BMI score, the more the person's total body fat. 

How to Calculate My BMI?
BMI = Body Weight (KG) / Height^(2) (M^(2))
What does the number mean?

Children and teenagers who ages between 2-19 have different representation. For categories that describe a person's weight are:

  • Under weight - BMI is below the 5th percentile age, gender, and height

  • Healthy weight - BMI is equal to or greater than the 5th percentile and less than the 85th percentile for age, gender, and height

  • Overweight - BMI is at or above the 85th percentile but less than 95th percentile for age, gender, and height

  • Obesity - BMI is at or above the 95th percentile for age, gender, and height

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Generally in Hong Kong, a BMI chart is used to help people refer to their weight status:

  • Underweight - BMI below 18.5

  • Healthy weight - BMI 18.5-24.9

  • Overweight - BMI 25.0-29.9

  • Obesity - BMI at or above 30.0

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You may also use an online BMI calculator to help you categorize: https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/bmi.html 

However, you should be aware that BMI is only a reference index. It does not full represent your body condition. 

Conclusion

Body weight does not mean everything! Two people of the same weight can have different physical appearance. 

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This photo is from INews. You can observe in the picture that they have the same height and weight with 63 kg, but with different physical appearances. This indicates that body weight sometimes may not able to represent your body condition. The most important is body composition!

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Thus, try not to focus on the weight but to know more how to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle!

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INews (2022). Why are two people of the same weight different from fat and thin? Body fat percentage is the key. 

https://inf.news/en/fitness/a754bd9a1cdfd5a2a42bc183881424c1.html

References:

1. KidsHealth (2020). Body Mass Index (BMI). https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/bmi.html

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2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021). Child & Teen BMI Calculator. 

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/bmi/calculator.html

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3. Mandal, A. (2019). What is Body Mass Index (BMI). News Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Body-Mass-Index-(BMI).aspx

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