Determining and reaching your target BMI
You’ve probably heard our Fort Worth and Grapevine obgyns mention that it is important to reach and maintain a healthy body mass index, or BMI. In order to do this, you need to know your target BMI. To help you on your journey to health and wellness, our obgyns have some information about how to determine your target BMI and how to reach it.
How to calculate your target BMI
The easiest way to determine your target BMI is to use an online BMI calculator. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer a helpful calculator online. The normal BMI range for adults is 18.5 to 24.9. Anything under that range is considered underweight, while anything over it is considered overweight or obese.
Health risks are associated with BMIs that are outside of the normal range. Individuals with high BMIs are more likely to develop health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, certain cancers, sleep apnea and pregnancy complications. In contrast, people with low BMIs have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis, iron deficiency, anemia, infection, hair loss, lung disease and muscle wasting.
Both low and high BMIs can also cause infertility. For these reasons, our Fort Worth and Grapevine obgyns stress the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle.
- Eat a balanced diet. Food plays a huge role in health and weight. Strive to eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and fat-free or low-fat dairy products. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, strive to incorporate other sources of protein, such as beans and nuts.
- Stay active. Balance the time that you sit every day with hikes, bike rides, yoga and other activities that get you moving. You can start slow by exercising for a few minutes at a time and moving up to longer increments as you gain strength and endurance.
- Get help. You don’t have to do it alone. If you’re struggling to lose or gain weight, partnering with our Fort Worth and Grapevine obgyns or a nutritionist will improve your chances of success.
Your partners in health
Our Fort Worth and Grapevine obgyns are your partners in health. From well-woman appointments to information about how to find your target BMI, our obgyns offer a full range of services to help you live a happy and healthy life.
Contact us to schedule an appointment and take control of your health.
