Obesity is the most important factor that accelerates the onset of diabetes, particularly Type II diabetes. According to recent studies, 1/3 rd of the children born today will be affected by Type II diabetes which is primarily obesity induced.

Obesity is a contributory factor in not only diabetes which, in turn, increases the risk of blindness, kidney problems and limb amputation, it also induces heart diseases and strokes. Therefore, it is imperative for those who are either at pre-diabetes stage or have developed Type II diabetes, to keep a tab on their body mass-index.

Body-Mass Index

Body-Mass Index (BMI) is a number that tells you how much fat your body consists of as a percentage of body weight. The number is not 100% accurate, particularly when based only on height and weight figures, yet it gives a good estimate, good enough to help you in your weight reduction efforts.

Ideally, you should determine your BMI in consultation with your doctor. He can not only provide you with some additional insights about its meaning, but also advise you on how you should begin your weight loss program in order to make it sustainable.

Nonetheless, if you are in a hurry to know how much fat your body consists of, you can use online calculators, by searching the term BMI or body mass index.

If you have no patience even for that, use this formula to calculate BMI-

BMI = Weight (in kg)

Height2 (in m)

For an average adult, a BMI of less than 20 means underweight, 20-25 means normal, 25-30 overweight and over 30 obese.

If your BMI falls above 25, that is you are obese or overweight, you are in real danger of developing Type II diabetes. Remember, it may lead to several complications including heart and kidney problems, blindness, even loss of limbs through amputation. So, immediately set out with a plan to lose weight, preferably in consultation with your doctor, and religiously adhere to it. In this way, you will not only keep yourself safe but also contribute to a healthy, diabetes free America.

Body mass index

The body mass index (BMI), or Quetelet index, is a statistical measurement which compares a person’s weight and height. Though it does not actually measure the percentage of body fat, it is used to estimate a healthy body weight based on how tall a person is. Due to its ease of measurement and calculation, it is the most widely used diagnostic tool to identify weight problems within a population, usually whether individuals are underweight, overweight or obese. It was invented between 1830 and 1850 by the Belgian polymath Adolphe Quetelet during the course of developing “social physics”.[1] Body mass index is defined as the individual’s body weight divided by the square of his or her height. The formulae universally used in medicine produce a unit of measure of kg/m2. BMI can also be determined using a BMI chart, which displays BMI as a function of weight (horizontal axis) and height (vertical axis) using contour lines for different values of BMI or colours for different BMI categories.
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