07/02/2023
"Madam I know that when measuring vital signs, you only take note of b.p, pulse, respiration, and temperature, please why are you checking my weight and height now"
Me: ma'am please I want to check your BMI
Mrs. AC: Ha ha every day new things in medicine, abeg which one of BMI again?
Me: Ma'am please have a seat and let's talk about it.
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐱.
The human body is an amazing machine, capable of incredible feats of strength and endurance.
However, despite its remarkable capabilities, it is also vulnerable to a range of health problems, many of which are related to weight.
That's why it's important to regularly monitor our Body Mass Index or BMI.
𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐁𝐌𝐈, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭?
BMI is a calculation that determines whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese, based on their height and weight.
It's a simple and effective way to determine whether a person is at a healthy weight, or whether they need to take action to improve their health.
At its core, BMI is a measure of the amount of body fat a person has.
Excess body fat can lead to a range of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and even certain types of cancer example breast cancer, ovarian cancer.
It can also affect our mental health, causing low self-esteem, depression, and social isolation.
That's why it's so important to keep our BMI in check.
By monitoring our weight and taking action to maintain a healthy BMI, we can reduce our risk of developing these and other health problems.
We can also improve our overall quality of life, with more energy, better mental health, and a stronger sense of self-esteem.
𝐒𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐌𝐈 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤?
The first step is to calculate our BMI.
This is a simple process that involves dividing our weight in kilograms by our height in meters squared.
Example: let's say my weight is 70kg and my height is 1.55 meters, multiple that be 2 ok, that is 1.55 ×1.55 which is equally 2.40
To calculate my BMI, i will say 70 divided by 2.40 and by that you'll have 29.17
We'll check if I am overweight, underweight, obese or overweight.
Once we have calculated our BMI, it's important to understand what the results mean.
A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered normal, while a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.
So from our above calculation, my BMI which is 29.1 shows that I am overweight 🙀🙀
If our BMI is outside of the normal range, it's time to take action.
𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐁𝐌𝐈
The following are the way you can maintain healthy BMI
📌Increase physical activity
📌Improve diet and eating habits
📌Control portion sizes
📌Reduce sedentary behavior
📌Incorporate strength training exercises
📌Get adequate sleep
📌Reduce stress levels
📌Limit alcohol consumption
📌Consult with a healthcare professional
📌Track progress and make adjustments as needed.
📌Reducing our calorie intake
📌choose healthier, nutrient-dense foods.
𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐁𝐌𝐈
The importance of improving your BMI include:
📌it helps Reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes
📌it Promotes better overall health and well-being
📌it Increases life expectancy
📌it Helps maintain a healthy weight
📌it Reduces the risk of certain cancers
📌it Improves physical and mental performance
📌Supports healthy bones and joints
📌it Enhances fertility and reproductive health
📌it Improves sleep patterns and quality of life
📌Supports healthy digestion and nutrient absorption
📌it Enhances overall appearance and self-esteem.
One of the most important things to remember about BMI is that it's not a perfect measure of health.
Some people may have a high BMI but be perfectly healthy, while others may have a low BMI but be at high risk for health problems.
That's why it's so important to talk to a healthcare professional about our health and well-being always.
They can help us understand our BMI results and provide guidance on what steps we need to take to improve our health and maintain a healthy weight.
In a relationship, couples need to support each other in maintaining a healthy BMI.
This can involve making changes together, such as cooking healthy meals and taking regular walks.
It can also involve encouraging each other to make positive lifestyle choices, such as getting enough sleep and reducing stress.
Ultimately, the importance of monitoring our BMI cannot be overstated.
By keeping our weight in check, we can reduce our risk of developing serious health problems and improve our overall quality of life.
So let's take control of our health today, and make monitoring our BMI a regular part of our routine.
Before I drop my pen I'll say , maintaining a healthy BMI is an important aspect of our overall health and well-being.
It can help us reduce our risk of developing serious health problems and improve our quality of life.
By monitoring our BMI, making healthy lifestyle choices, and seeking the guidance of a healthcare professional, we can take control of our health and live happier, healthier life.
Credit: Nurse Udeme Effiong
Muse: Nursefavy
