Health
BMI
Indication
Range
Under-
Less
weight
than
20.0
*Asian
BMI:
Less
than
18.5
Recom-
20.0
mended
– 25.0
*Asian
BMI:
18.5
– 23.0
Over-
25.1
weight
– 29.9
*Asian
BMI:
23.1
– 29.9
Obese
30.0 or
greater
*Asian
BMI:
30.0 or
greater
Description
due to their different body composition.
Your body
weight is
References:
currently lower
than average.
Work toward
healthy, regular
food intake
and exercise
routine to
build up your
health to
recommended
levels.
Your health
is at the
BODY FAT PERCENTAGE
recommended
level. Maintain
What is Body Fat Percentage?
a balanced diet
and exercise
Body Fat Percentage is a measurement
to keep your
of the total percentage of fat in your body.
current level of
For example, if you weigh 70 kg and your
health.
Body Fat Percentage is 15%, then you
Your body
are retaining 10.5 kg of fat. The remaining
weight may be
weight is composed of muscles, bones,
above normal.
tissues, and water weight.
Increase your
Among overweight people, it is excess fat
exercise and
and not weight alone that carries health
work out a diet
risks. Since the body comprises elements
plan to lower
of varying densities, weight or BMI cannot
your risk for
fully measure exactly how much excess
serious illness.
fat a person carries. For example, two
At this level,
people of the same weight and BMI may
you may be
have big differences in body composition.
at risk for
One may carry excess fat while the other
heart disease,
carry acceptable level of fat needed to
high blood
regulate the body. As such, a Body Fat
pressure, and
Percentage measurement is an effective
other illnesses.
assessment of your current health level.
Consult with
your doctor
to develop a
functions, since it helps to maintain body
proper health
temperature an insulate organs and
and fitness
tissues.
plan.
9
NOTE
Asians have a separate BMI range
1.
Jequier, E. (1987)
Energy, obesity, and
body weight standards.
2.
American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, 45, 1035-1047
3.
Japan Society for the Study of
Obesity
4.
The Weight Loss Research
Center
5.
myDr. (www.mydr.com.au)
NOTE
Essential fat is necessary for bodily