Does calculating BMI still make sense? 4 New Methods of Physical Evaluation

Calculate your body mass indexFor a long time, it was the main method for assessing a person’s physical condition. Find out if her weight is ideal, lower, higher or even check the possible stages of obesity. For those who don’t know, this calculation is made by the relationship between people’s weight and height. Some professionals also use gender and age to analyze the result.

The calculation is very simple: weight / (length x height). That is, if you are a person who wants to calculate your BMI, let’s say your body is 1.80 meters tall and weighs 80 kilograms. The equation will be as follows: 80 / (1.8 x 1.8) = 24.69. With this number on hand, just check your BMI table and see your ranking. In the example case, we have a physique within the ideal limit. a look:

• thinness – less than 18.5;
• natural – between 18.5 and 24.9;
• overweight – between 24.9 and 30;
• obesity – Over 30.

But the big problem is that this result does not always reflect reality. Suppose the evaluation was done on a person with large muscle mass. Her weight can be high, even if her body fat percentage is low. In this way, when calculating the BMI, the stage of overweight or obesity can be checked and the individual is in good health.

“Weighing on the scale may not change anything, even if a person decreases fat percentage and increases percentage of muscle mass. We have more effective equipment and techniques for measuring body composition. BMI is used only when there is no alternative,” explains Igor Trindade Santos, Professor at Smart Fit.

For those who don’t just want to calculate BMI, Igor has also included other – more reliable – ways to make a physical assessment. paying off:

1) Evaluation of skin folds – “Using a lipometer (a tweezers-shaped body), nine body folds (triceps, biceps, scapula, pectorals, mid-axillary, suprascapular, abdomen, thigh and calf) are examined to measure body fat,” he explains.

2) circumference – “Measurements are made with a tape measure for some body circumference, such as chest, waist, abdomen, hip, arm, thigh and leg, to track a person’s progress during the training period,” says Igor.

3) Bioimpedance balance – “It is the equipment that we used in the Smart Fit network. With a specific meter that produces energy currents in the body, it is possible to obtain data on fat, lean mass, body water and basal metabolic rate,” the physical educator.

4) hydrostatic weight – “A method of weight that serves to determine quantities, such as volume and density. It is also used to assess body composition and lean mass, by specific calculations,” the professional points out.

“It is important to emphasize that these tests should be performed and evaluated by physical education professionals and nutritionists, who will know how to evaluate the numbers and make the best referral, according to each person’s needs, limitations, and goals,” concludes Igor. .

source: Igor Trindade Santos, Professor of Smart Fit and the app Smart Fit Coach