The Body Mass Index or BMI is an indicative tool to calculate the body’s weight or body fat status in humans over the age of 20. You can calculate your BMI by dividing your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters:

BMI = Kg / (m)2

A BMI between 19 and 25 is considered normal but if someone's BMI is between 25 to 29.9, that person is said to be overweight. A person is said to be obese if his or her BMI is 30 or higher. The higher your BMI is, the greater your risk for illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease.

The Body Mass Index tool has been reviewed by medical doctors and is for educational purposes only and not a replacement for the doctor’s medical advice. Always consult with your general practitioner before making your own conclusions on the condition of your health or overweight status. The BMI is a general guideline to determine the weight status and are used widely by general practitioners and health consultancies.

Please note that that the BMI indicator can be somewhat misleading or over estimated in the following cases: With body builders; competing athletes and pregnant women. BMI does not differentiate between body fat and muscle mass and athletes usually have a higher percentage muscle mass which carries more weight than body fat. It is therefore possible for healthy and muscular individuals with very low body fat percentages to be classified obese when using the BMI formula.

The BMI calculations can underestimate body fat percentage in the following cases: Old people; people who are disabled and, for instance, cannot walk.

The body mass index can not be regarded as the only way of determining health risks or obesity. Other measure such as the waist circumference is also a very good indictor of health risks.

What does my BMI mean?

Below 18 – you are very underweight and need to pick up weight urgently
Below 20 – you are underweight and could afford to gain a little weight.
Between 20 and 25 – you have a healthy weight range
Between 26 to 30 – This is an overweight range
Over 30 – you are obese and seriously need to consider losing weight

Can being overweight or obese affect my health? The connection between being overweight and the chance that you will suffer poor health is not definite (research in this specific area is on-going). It can be stated that when data from large populations of people are statistically analyzed, obese people tend to have a bigger chance of developing a variety of diseases. Possible conditions that being overweight / obese can contribute to are: Premature death, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, cancers and diabetes.

How can I bring my BMI within a low risk area?

Regular exercise and healthy food can help you control your BMI and reduce the risk of being overweight when living an unhealthy lifestyle.

How can ShapeWorks help you to get within the correct BMI range?

With the ShapeWorks quick start package and the Herbalife weight loss optimization product range you can lose the weight and keep it off while still feeling energized. The ShapeWorks quick start package has assisted millions of people world wide to lose those unwanted kilos and centimeters in those areas that matter. That’s weight loss without sacrificing lean body mass or cutting out on nutrition.

Contact your ShapeWorks coach or Herbalife distributor by clicking on the following email address info@shapelife.co.za The ShapeWorks coach will help you determine your BMI and give advice on what weight loss or weight maintenance package you should go for to better your well-being. Don’t delay on the decision to lose weight!