“ You have a BMI of 28.8” – But what does this actually mean?

If you have ever walked into a doctor’s office or met with a personal trainer, chances are high that you have had your body mass index (BMI) measured. Did you ever stop to ask them what BMI is or why they are measuring it? Did you just follow their advice on the next steps without considering the exact benefit of doing so?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, or if you want to refresh your knowledge on BMI then this article is for you. 

In this article, we explore BMI, how it is calculated, understanding the results, and the options you have for attaining a healthy BMI range.

What is B.M.I?

In simple terms, Body Mass Index (B.M.I) is a measure of your body fat based on your current height and weight. It is expressed as a single number and helps doctors and health practitioners gauge if you have a healthy weight.

You can calculate your current BMI using the formula: 

BMI = kg/m² 

Alternatively, you can find your BMI using our free BMI calculator

BMI is an inexpensive and easy screening method used to determine your weight category. According to WHO, the four categories are: 

• Below 18.5 – Underweight 
• 18.5 – 24.9 – Normal Weight 
• 25.0 -29.0 – Overweight 
• 30.0. and Above – Obese 

Using your BMI results, your doctor can make more accurate suggestions for the next steps i.e. putting you on a diet plan to increase or decrease your weight,  encouraging you to take on more physical exercise or recommending bariatric surgery

Why is B.M.I important?

BMI is an easy way for clinicians to screen for those who may be at risk for health problems due to their weight. Generally, the higher your BMI, the more at risk you may be for developing health problems such as: 

• Mortality
• High Blood Pressure 
• Type 2 diabetes 
• Sleep apnea and breathing problems 
• Low quality of life 

However, BMI is not a perfect measure because it does not directly assess body fat. The calculations do not consider all measurements that may have an impact on health such as:

1. Your waist to hip measurements 
2. The proportion and distribution of fat 
3. The proportion of muscle mass

Take for example an athlete or a naturally muscular person, on calculating their BMI it is discovered that they lie in the overweight or obese range. Why might this be the case?

Muscle mass is denser than fat. Although the above person’s BMI is high, they likely do not have as much fat as another person with the same BMI.

Waist Circumference Measurements

Due to its limitations, BMI cannot be used as a single measure of health. At the Nairobi Bariatric centre, we understand this and take an extra step to ensure the accuracy of your results. In addition to BMI measurements, we also use the waist circumference measurement to select the bariatric procedure that is most appropriate for you.

Why Use Waist Measurements?

Waist measurements give a rough estimate of the amount of visceral fat in the body. Visceral fat is the type of fat which wraps around your organs and lies deep within your body. It is this fat that is likely to raise your risk for serious medical issues such as Alzeihmer’s, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

How To Measure Your Waist Circumference

• Stand and place a tape measure around our middle area just above your hips 
• Ensure the tape is horizontal and around the waist 
• Keep the tape snug around the waist without compressing the skin
• Measure your waist just after you breathe out 

Your waistline may be telling you that you have a higher risk of developing obesity-related conditions if you are: 

• A man whose circumference is more than 40 inches 
• A non-pregnant woman whose circumference is more than 35 inches

How to achieve a healthy B.M.I range

If you are worried about your BMI range, some options are available for you. These can be tailored to suit your individual needs and help you achieve your goal.

1. Healthy Eating and Exercise 

Your doctor will evaluate your current diet and level of physical activity and encourage you to make certain adjustments. This may include going on a prescribed diet plan or engaging in more regular physical activity

2. Bariatric Surgery

Gastric Bypass and Gastric Sleeve are two types of weight-loss surgeries offered by the Nairobi Bariatric Centre. You may be considered for bariatric surgery if you are a : 

• Female patient with a BMI of higher than 35
• Male patient with a BMI of higher than 34
• Patient with diabetes mellitus and a BMI higher than 30

Follow up appointments will be carried out to ensure that your diet, medication, and level of exercise are appropriate to prevent weight from being regained 

3. Psychotherapy 

Guided by a trained psychologist, you will discover the underlying causes of your eating habits and be encouraged to make appropriate changes. Nairobi Bariatric Centre offers psychotherapy for 4 months with a guarantee that you will have an improved relationship with food once you walk out of our doors.

4. Gastric Balloon

The Gastric Balloon procedure is suitable for those who need weight loss support but do not want to commit to surgical procedures. It is offered by the Nairobi Bariatric Centre at Ksh. 350,000 and is suitable for: 

• Those who have struggled to lose weight through diet or exercise 
• Anyone preparing for bariatric surgery 
• Those with a BMI greater than 27

It is a non-surgical procedure lasting around 10-15 minutes with no hospital stay required. You will stay with the balloon for approximately 6-8 months or it will be removed once you hit your goal weight.

In summary

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple tool that is used to gauge whether your weight is in a healthy proportion to your height. Although it is used to screen for patients who may be at risk for chronic health conditions, it cannot be used alone as it does not directly measure your body fat. Bariatric Surgery, Gastric Balloon, Psychotherapy, and changes to eating habits and physical activity are some of the ways you can move towards a healthier BMI range.