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How Do I Know If I Am Too Skinny?

Published in Weight Assessment 2 mins read

You can determine if you are too skinny by calculating your Body Mass Index (BMI).

Understanding Body Mass Index (BMI)

BMI is a useful tool to assess whether you are at a healthy weight. It uses your height and weight to provide a score. The formula to calculate BMI is:

BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)^2

BMI Categories

Category BMI Range
Underweight Below 18.5
Healthy Weight 18.5 - 24.9
Overweight 25 - 29.9
Obese 30 or above

Am I Underweight?

According to the provided reference, if your BMI is under 18.5 kg/m2, then you are considered underweight. This indicates that you may be too skinny.

What To Do If You Are Underweight

  • Consult a Doctor: If your BMI is below 18.5, it's important to discuss this with a healthcare professional. They can assess your overall health, identify any underlying causes for being underweight, and recommend a healthy weight gain plan.
  • Balanced Diet: Focus on eating a balanced diet with enough calories, protein, and healthy fats.
  • Gradual Weight Gain: Aim for a gradual and healthy approach to gaining weight rather than rapid changes.
  • Exercise: Combining a healthy diet with moderate exercise, particularly strength training, can help you gain weight healthily.

Example Calculation

Let's say someone weighs 55 kg and is 1.75 meters tall:

  1. Square the height: 1.75 m * 1.75 m = 3.0625 m²
  2. Calculate BMI: 55 kg / 3.0625 m² = 17.96 kg/m²

In this example, the person's BMI is 17.96, which is below 18.5. Therefore, they would be considered underweight.

Remember, BMI is a useful tool but doesn’t account for muscle mass. Consulting a healthcare professional for a complete evaluation is always recommended.

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