Unit 1 – Fitness Testing and Training

Body Mass Index & Healthy Weight

What is a healthy weight?

A healthy weight has a very positive effect on our well -being and healthBeing overweight - or underweight - can cause a wide range of medical problemsFortunately, most of these problems can be sorted out by losing or gaining weight

What is a healthy weight?

There is not an ideal weight that suits everybody

Each person has a different body and their healthy weight will be determined by different factors, such as:

Genes, food and physical activity

Lifestyle factors

What is a healthy weight?

Losing weight can be as challenging and difficult as keeping an ideal healthy weight

However, this can be achieved and its positive effects will be immediately noticed

Why a healthy weight is important?

If your BMI is above the healthy range you are at increased risk of a number of serious medical conditions, especially heart disease and diabetes

Why a healthy weight is important?

You are also more likely to suffer from joint problems and back painYou may find you become breathless and may have difficulty sleepingThe more weight you gain, the more severe these problems may become. The good news is that losing weight will alleviate many of these conditions

Weight loss

Losing weight is about reducing the number of calories you eat to less than the calories you burn off in your everyday life

Is best to make small but permanent changes in your lifestyle, rather than opting for a dramatic new diet

Weight loss

You may lose weight more slowly - but you'll reduce the chances of regaining weight laterMost doctors recommend that, on average, you should aim to lose no more than 1 kg (2 lbs) per week. Some weeks you may lose more weight than others

What's your BMI?

The healthy weight range is based on a measurement known as the Body Mass Index (BMI)

This can be determined if you know your weight and your height.

What's your BMI?

Frame sizes vary and it is difficult for any simple measurement to establish a person's frame.It is more accurate to recommend a weight range, rather than a specific weight for a given height weight is also related to build, and you should make allowances if you are stocky or of heavy build. BMI will vary slightly according to gender

Recommended BMI Chart

Underweight BMI Less than 20

Ideal BMI 20 - 25

Overweight BMI 25 - 30

Should lose weight

BMI 30 -40

Lose weight now

BMI 40 +

IMPORTANT

The BMI Calculator is only a guideline and should be treated as suchBMI is only one measure of your health. Body fat percentage, blood pressure, resting heart rate, cholesterol and other measurements are at least as important as BMI. You need to get the whole picture