Body Mass Index (BMI) is an essential health parameter used to determine whether an individual has a healthy body mass relative to their height. Calculating BMI helps identify whether a person is underweight, at a desirable weight, overweight, or obese.
Map your calculated BMI score to the correct weight category and view the corresponding recommended dietary and lifestyle actions.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is the measurement of body mass against height.
BMI is a method used to determine whether a person has a body mass problem or not. It relates a person's mass in kilograms directly to the square of their height in metres.
\[ \text{BMI} = \dfrac{\text{Body mass (kg)}}{(\text{Height})^2\text{ (m}^2\text{)}} \]
The unit of BMI is \(\text{kg m}^{-2}\) (or \(\text{kg/m}^2\)).
An individual whose BMI falls between \(18.5\) and \(24.9\text{ kg m}^{-2}\) enjoys a desirable weight, which correlates with greater longevity. Falling outside this ideal range poses specific health hazards.
Studies show that the lifespan of a person with an ideal BMI of between \(18.5 - 24.9\text{ kg m}^{-2}\) is longer than that of a person with a lower or higher BMI.
Heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes mellitus, and complications of joints and bones.
Heart diseases, decrease in body's defence against diseases, fatigue, anaemia, and depression.
Practise a healthy and balanced diet based on the Malaysian food pyramid and the Malaysian Healthy Plate. Eat at fixed times. Consume snacks that are packed with nutrients to increase calories. Eat more nutritious food.
Set a realistic goal such as reducing half a kilogram of mass weekly. Monitor and record body mass once a week. Eat healthy foods in moderation based on the Malaysian food pyramid and the Malaysian Healthy Plate. Make changes to eating habits, such as changing food preparation methods. Reduce or avoid food with high sugar or fat content. Do moderate exercises such as brisk walking, cycling, and swimming for at least 30 minutes, three times a week. Gain support from those who are close.
The Malaysian Healthy Plate consists of key food groups:
1. Fish, poultry, meat, and legumes 2. Rice, noodle, bread, cereals, cereal products, and tubers 3. Fruits 4. Vegetables
Answer in your mind, then press “Check Answer”.
What is the category of an individual with a BMI of \(30.0\text{ kg m}^{-2}\)?
State the formula used to calculate Body Mass Index.
List two health risks associated with being underweight.
Being underweight is always healthier and safer than having any other BMI value.
Being underweight also carries significant health risks, including heart diseases, weakened immune defence, fatigue, anaemia, and depression.
Rapid, drastic weight loss of several kilograms per week is the recommended approach to reduce body mass.
The textbook recommends setting a realistic, gradual goal, such as reducing half a kilogram (\(0.5\text{ kg}\)) of mass weekly.
1 What is the BMI range classified as “Desirable weight”?
2 Which of the following is a recommended method to decrease body mass in overweight individuals?
3 In the formula for calculating Body Mass Index, body mass in kilograms is divided by height in units of .
4 An individual with a BMI of 30.0 or higher is classified into the category of .
Drag each description to the correct category or action. On a phone, tap an answer first, then tap a matching box. Tap the Answer Choices area to return a selected item.
Write the correct description next to each category or action.
Answer choices: Complications of joints and bones • Anaemia and decreased body defence • Consume nutrient-packed snacks to increase calories • Reduce or avoid food with high sugar or fat content
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