The problem is that FDA does not have a close monitoring system, which means you cannot be sure that the product contains the ingredients listed on the label or has unlisted ingredients. There simply are no short cuts when it comes to burning fat, no matter what the ads say.

The simple logic behind losing weight is: you need to burn more calories than you consume. The safest way is to make lifestyle changes such as including natural fat burners in your diet and exercise on a regular basis.

If after following healthy eating habits and exercising, you can’t seem to lose excess weight, then it is time to talk to your doctor to see what else could be wrong.

Researchers from different parts of the world uncover the truth about natural foods and declare some as the best fat burners. You don’t have to wait for next January to make resolutions. Why not make the following your natural fat burners of 2011?

Source : doverpost

Some of the Best Fat Burners

High Fiber Foods

There are many areas of nutrition that elicit controversy, but dietary fiber is certainly not one of them. Every health book you’ve ever read talks about fiber as most important for your body.  Scientific evidence links fiber to a plethora of health benefits. Fiber-containing foods help increase satiety with fewer calories, and maintain a healthy digestive system.  When your body digests the food you eat properly, it is less likely to convert it into fat.  Fiber-rich foods digest slowly, which means your body works harder, burning more calories and boosting metabolism.

Some of the foods rich in fiber are oatmeal, dates and navy beans. The USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference shows a list of whole to fortified foods that are rich in fiber.  They suggest powering up on bran, beans with navy beans containing the maximum fiber, berries, whole grains, sweet peas, green leafy vegetables, nuts, fruits etc.  So, it would not be out of place to call high fiber foods as the best natural fat burners.

Best Fat Burners

Source : flickr

Dairy Calcium

It is common knowledge that calcium helps in building strong and healthy teeth and bones.  In the past couple of years, studies have shown that dairy calcium can aid in weight loss. A University of Tennessee study reveals that calcium helps in burning body fat.  Dairy products like cheese, low-fat yogurt and fat-free milk increase fat breakdown in fat cells, thus acting as fat burners.  A dairy rich diet is said to nearly double weight loss. Overweight people who consumed 3 servings of calcium-rich dairy products/per day including milk showed almost twice the weight loss compared to people who took less dairy calcium.  Studies show that the more people reduced their dairy product consumption, the more body fat they gained.

Dairy Calcium

Source : flickr

Almonds

Almonds are high-fiber foods, but they have been found to be special fat burners. Studies have for many years indicated that almonds may just be what you need, if you are overweight. Findings suggested that eating one serving (22) of almonds daily for six months helps in achieving a sustained weight reduction.  You can keep almonds handy to be consumed as a snack throughout the day. They are great energy boosters and can also be added to salads, yoghurt or oatmeal.

Almonds

Source : flickr

Hot Peppers

Jalapenos contain capsaicin, which is a chemical that gives peppers their pungent flavor and increases heart rate, boosting metabolism. Research found that eating small snacks with hot peppers helps the body not run out of fuel and makes sure the metabolic rate does not drop.  It is recommended that you add chili peppers to pasta, omelet or any stir fry to benefit from their powerful fat burning properties.  Eating cayenne pepper with just one meal is said to boost metabolism by 25% and the calorie burn lasts for 3 hours after they are consumed.

Hot Peppers

Source : bp.blogspot

Fish

Leptin is a hormone in the body that is linked to weight loss and it is found in most types of fish. A diet rich in fish keeps leptin levels in the body lower. Salmon contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which can alter the levels of leptin in the body, and the lower the levels the higher the caloric burn. University of Georgia states that studies have consistently shown this to be true and it is one of the best fat burners. This hormone also makes you feel fuller faster.

Salmon also provides the essential Vitamin D that preserves metabolism-revving muscle tissue. Researchers found that most people, especially older people don’t get enough through their diet.  Other good sources are tuna, shrimp, tofu, eggs, and fortified milk.

Silver Salmon at Pure Food

Source : wikimedia

Chocolate

A study shows that pure, dark chocolate is an excellent source of anti-oxidants that fight fat cells. One serving of dark chocolate eaten slowly is said to work wonders. However, here they are talking of 100% Cacao..real chocolate.. and not the mix of milk, sugar and vegetable fat that we refer to as chocolate.  Tests also showed that people who drank ‘real chocolate drink’ burnt significantly more fat than others who drank the standard chocolate drink.

Chocolate

Source : flickr

Green Tea and Coffee

There is so much talk about green tea but there is no strong consensus on green tea being a fat burner.  But according to some research studies, green tea has a chemical called EGCG that makes the brain and nervous system work faster, burning more calories. Although, green tea, which contains caffeine, is not a miraculous solution to burn fat, researchers say that it does show good promise in weight loss. Coffee also contains caffeine, which helps speed up the heart rate and helps in burning calories.  Whether it is iced coffee or hot coffee, the benefit is said to be the same.  Of course, you are bound to put on more weight if you add full-cream milk and heaps of sugar to it. Consider drinking it plain but don’t over do it.

Note: Doctors warn that both green tea and coffee should not be consumed much or avoided totally, if you have high blood pressure, heart problems, kidney disease or any heart related issues, as they increase the heart rate.

Green Tea and Coffee

Source : photos.jasondunn

Cold Water

We all know that water is good for us but little did we know that it could be one of the natural fat burners. But only when you don’t drink water at room temperature, according to German researchers! They say that drinking 6 cups of cold water in a day (approx. 48 ounces) can boost resting metabolism by about 50 calories daily – which can help shed 5 pounds in a year. That may not sound like much, but every little bit counts. They believe this could happen due to the work it takes inside our body to heat the cold water to body temperature.

Cold Water

Source : flickr

It is always better to eat a well-balanced meal that includes all food groups and exercise regularly.  There are plenty of foods that act as natural fat burners and these are healthy foods that you can embrace for life. Combining a healthy diet with more activity is the best way to burn fat and keep it off for the long-term.

Caution: It goes without saying that even when choosing natural fat burners, you have to constantly be aware of any health problems or allergies you may have, as certain foods may not be good for you. Consult with your doctor if you are in doubt.

“I get too tired when I’m dieting so I’m not losing weight!”

Let’s do a bit of science review, shall we? Calories are units of energy. In order to get through each day you have to burn calories. You burn them when you sleep, and when you walk, and when you sit at the computer to read this. The more you move around and the longer you stay awake during the day, the more calories you’re burning. Because the calories are essentially energy in a capsule form, getting fewer calories means you’re getting less energy.

Source : flickr

In theory, you’re supposed to burn off the excess calories stored in your body as fat, but this doesn’t always work out just right for everyone. In fact, it’s not uncommon to be tired and irritable the whole time you’re dieting because you are depriving yourself of the amount of calories your body needs to maintain equilibrium. It’s a fact of life. If you’re going to lose weight, you need to consume less calories or burn more. In either case, you’re going to feel hungry and be tired because you’re depriving yourself of energy.

If you’re trying to diet while also boosting your exercise, you might be feeling the effects in the afternoon and evening. It’s a balancing act when you’re cutting back calories. Eating certain foods will release calories to burn more slowly giving you more of a steady stream of energy over time, but until your body needs fewer calories, you can expect to feel more tired and sluggish at times during your diet. It’s part of the process in many cases.

“I’m up at dawn exercising, but I’m not losing weight!”

If you’re up at dawn exercising, what time are you going to bed every night? If it’s not at least seven or eight hours before that early morning appointment with the treadmill, you’re fighting a losing battle. Your body does its healing and processing while you’re sleeping. If you’re not getting enough sleep at night, your body can’t do all of the behind-the-scenes magic it needs to do in order for you to actually lose weight and build muscle. You can exercise all day long, but if you’re not giving your body time to heal properly while you sleep between seven and nine hours every night; you’re working against your own efforts.

Not only are you going to have a significant amount of trouble losing weight, you’re also going to be putting yourself at a greater risk of injury. Tired muscles aren’t ready for serious exercise, and if you’re exercising while work out every morning, you’re looking for trouble. A lack of sleep is also tied to an excessive intake of calories. If you work out and burn 300 calories in the morning, but then you’re awake a total of 18 hours instead of 16, all it takes is one Coke or a taco during those extra two hours to negate anything you burned off in the morning.

“I’m eating a low-fat diet, but I’m not losing weight!”

Low-fat, no sugar added and diet foods are so appealing for us. They gleam out as healthy choices when it’s time for a snack or meal, and we gobble them right up feeling just a wee bit righteous for our good choices. Unfortunately, it’s not always that great of a choice to eat low-fat foods. The truth is ‘no sugar’ or ‘no fat’ doesn’t mean ‘no calorie.’ When something is labeled as a diet food, you feel more justified in eating more of it – after all it’s a diet food!

Source : wikipedia

In fact, when you’re eating the low fat foods, you’re still consuming close to the same number of calories as you would with the real thing in many cases. Additionally, with a lot of the processed snacks and meal bars, you’re also ingesting a lot of chemicals you wouldn’t have to worry about as much if you were eating the real thing.

Unfortunately, the low fat and low sugar foods that are available don’t have the satisfying fats and true sweetness that the regular items would have. When you eat a low fat cookie, you’re not satisfied in many cases, and you crave more. Often these cravings eventually lead you back to the real cookies you were trying to avoid in the first place!

“My will power is too weak, so I’m not losing weight.”

A champion of the excuses for not losing weight, will power plays a very important part of the process – in your mind. In the real world, will power isn’t as important as you might think. It’s far more important to have a regular routine and plan than will power. If you’re put in a room with cookies and cake and use your will power to avoid them, you’re going to crack eventually. Or you’ll be so focused on NOT eating the sweets you’re unable to do much else.

Instead of counting on will power to save you and help you lose weight, stop making excuses for not losing weight and come up with a plan for losing weight instead. Make a menu plan and grocery list. Shop only off that list. Don’t buy things on impulse and replace bad habits with good habits.

For example, if you’re used to eating ice cream every evening while watching your show, make yourself a treat with skim-milk and sugar-free chocolate syrup instead. Sip that while watching your show instead of lamenting the lack of ice cream as you would if your hands were empty. The more replacements and organized elements you’re able to put into place, the fewer excuses you’ll need for not losing weight. You’ll actually start losing it!

A reduction in the total body mass by means of loss of fluid, body fat, adipose tissue, tendon, muscle, bone mineral deposits and connective tissue is referred as weight loss in medical terms, physical fitness and health. Unintentional weight loss occurs in underlying diseases and it occurs intentionally with individual’s consciousness by way of stern effort to reduce overweight. Intentional weight loss means loss of total body mass to improve health and it may be to change the appearance. An individual who is overweight may reduce the weight by therapy and it may reduce the risk of having certain diseases like diabetes and heart attack. Health risks like expanding waist and more risk of having diabetes can be avoided by giving more attention to diet restriction and diet pattern. Negative energy balance gives rise to weight loss by taking the stored fat or muscles for energy conversion. It means the stored fat is utilized by body when it needs more fat than it receives from food.

Therapeutic weight loss is achieved by means of changing the eating or food patterns and by changing the life style. Totally it is resulted by minimizing the calories in the intake of food and increasing the physical activity. This will have a reduction in the body mass. The speed of metabolic activity and changes in the bowel movements are achieved by taking excess fiber food. Drugs and supplements take their own part in reducing the body weight by decreased appetite level or by blocking the fat absorption. Even surgery is useful to remove unwanted excess fat from the stomach region and there by weight loss obtained. Nutritional restriction is practiced with consciousness for more than 12 hours (water not restricted) and expected result in weight loss is obtained by this method of crash dieting.

Weight loss can be rewarding and effective and greatly improve health if it is achieved by natural weight loss supplements, exercises, and healthy consumption and when it is achieved by synthetic methods like weight reduction pills then it can not be thought as natural weight loss destination. It is a well known fact excess weight causes several cardio vascular, joint diseases and diabetes. Healthy and natural weight loss can extend the life period. Healthy weight loss can be achieved by taking natural weight loss supplements and it is by reacting to constant hunger. Healthy treatment of weight loss is obtained by taking natural hormones and herbal supplements.

Our health and body weight depends on our healthy digestive system. By the digestive action, we absorb nutrition, we excrete toxins, and we gain our energy and aids in the conversion of fat in to muscles. Inflammation is caused by food allergy, overgrowth yeast and emotional stress. Essential fatty acids are the substances that we obtain from our food and supplements help in reducing bowel inflammation, it decreases unwanted effects of stomach acids and also it helps liver in performing its normal function of processing the proteins in to muscle fiber, eliminating toxins. The natural essential fatty acids also help in the elimination of toxins from the intestines. It combines with fiber and cleans the intestinal debris which hurt the health and leads to weight gain. Essential fatty acids are also interfering in nervous and brain system and reduce the risk of having weight gain. The hormone balance is very essential for natural weight loss. As we grow old, the imbalance of hormone occurs and weight is gained gradually. Hence, it is true that hormone balance is very essential to keep our body slim and to attain natural weight loss. There are many natural hormone balancing products and natural essential fatty acid. Balancing natural chemistry and calming effect of our brain is very essential and it can be obtained by naturally available natural health care products which help in maintaining our brain in calmness with its natural chemistry and it leads to make our body suitably in burning the calories rather than saving the calories. The simple exercises like swimming and walking is enough to attain natural weight loss. Drinking sufficient amount of water is very essential to keep our digestive system healthier which leads to smart metabolism and to lose extra weight.

image by Blue Water Benefits

Foods can be classified in to two main categories as for as weight loss is concerned. The first one is called high concentration foods and the second one is low concentration food. Grains, dairy products, meat, most of the junk foods are the best examples for highly concentrated in calories. And whereas vegetables and fruits are high in water content but low in calories. You need not eat less and you may eat more with these low calorie fruits and vegetables. Blood sugar level is increased swiftly by taking certain types of food and the level of the blood sugar is increased slowly by taking some types of foods. A spike in the blood sugar level produces body fat.

There is a misconception that complex sugar contained in bread, potatoes and pasta are entering the blood stream slowly and the simple sugar in the fruits enters the blood stream quickly. But it is the fact that the sugar in fruits only reaches the blood stream slowly and the sugar in bread, potatoes and beans enter the blood stream very fastly. Insulin is needed in small quantity only for the fructose that commonly present in fruits that enters the blood stream in a gentle way. Complex carbohydrates that contained in bread melt in the mouth itself into simple sugar because of the action of the alpha-amylase that is present in the saliva.

Taking in a small piece of bread will transform up to 50% of its starch into simple sugar before it reaches the stomach. Fruit is the better source of fuel than the bread and beans that is capable of sustaining energy without exerting much pressure on pancreas for more insulin. Fructose of fruits does not need insulin to break down and it is slowly absorbed in the lower intestinal walls. Generally, all starches are made up of a chain of sugar molecules. By digestion, these chains are broken down to simple sugars. All foods like fruits, bread and beans are finally broken down to glucose. Out of these foods, fruits are the only thing that requires minimum digestion to supply glucose fuel which our body needs.

The cabbage soup diet is an ideal weight loss diet formed to take over a period of seven days. It is accepted that it is only a low calorie soup which reduces body weight. This cabbage soup is considered as one of the fad diet which is able to reduce weight within a short period. Fad diets are diets which promote weight loss and are capable of treating obesity. It works by certain mechanisms other than calorie restriction. The intention of this diet is to reduce the weight drastically within a week (up to 10 pounds in a week). But however it is argued that it is impractical to lose much fat within a week and it is contended that the weight loss is occurred only due to loss of weight that happens in the body fluid like water.

The origin of this diet is uncertain but it attained its popularity in the recent years between 1980 and 1985.  This soup diet is having several names and they are almost linked with familiar institutions. Some of the names are military cabbage soup, sacred heart diet and general motor diet. Originally it has evidence that this cabbage soup was used in obese type of patients who had undergone heart surgery. It is believed that these patients of obese type was lowered the risk of complications after surgery.

The preparation of this soup is differed to many and they are prepared and used in different flavor by adding seasonal herbs. The necessary ingredients for the soup as follows. Large onions, green peppers, a bunch of celery, cabbage, tomatoes, dry onion soup mix, 1 or 2 cubes bouillon, pepper, salt, garlic powder, parsley, curry powder, soy sauce and seasonal herbs. Soup is prepared by boiling all the ingredients until they become soft after adding enough water. This base soup again can be added with seasonal herbs according to taste to add flavor.

It is best to adhere the following diet programme to attain the weight loss of 10 pounds in a week. Generally fruit juice without having sweet is allowed and the beverages are restricted to water.

Day 1 is scheduled only with cabbage soup with plenty of fruit juice. But banana is excluded on day one.

Day 2 diet is planned with cabbage soup. Vegetables are allowed with potato. A small quantity of butter is permitted.

Day 3 diet some what convenient and it is with cabbage soup plus vegetable and fruit. But on this third day banana and potato is avoided.

Day 4 is having cabbage soup with plenty of bananas (even up to eight numbers) and more skimmed milk is allowed.

Day 5 is having a relief in the diet pattern. Cabbage soup is accompanied by 10 ounces of beef. Six numbers of tomatoes are granted.

Day 6 is entirely different from the first 5 days. Cabbage soup is allowed with much beef and many vegetables. But this day potatoes are not permitted.

Day 7 is having cabbage soup. Unsweetened fruit juice is allowed with vegetables (but not potatoes) and brown rice is also permitted.

Many medical authorities and dietitians are criticizing the soup diet because of the high sodium content of the soup. And this high sodium content is added to add taste and make it more palatable. But this high quantity of sodium chloride is not recommended for the persons those who are already suffering from their . Generally sodium chloride is not permitted in large quantity to the persons affected by high blood pressure since it takes part in elevating the pressure. So it is argued that this soup design is not suitable for every one. More over, it is also mentioned that this soup does not have any fat content.

The protein content of the soup is also zero. Hence, this type of soup containing no protein and fat is not useful to all who takes this regime of food type for a week. It is advised if it is taken somebody may feel weakness and tiredness. Light headed ness may also occur. It is also strongly believed the weight loss of 10 pounds also is due only with the total loss of water content of the body and not of the fat reduction. Hence, it is believed that this design would not keep the body from weight loss permanently.

The common form of soup of any kind is agreeable and non- irritating though there is a spicy variation. But few are able to manage the whole seven days with this diet of soup. And most of the people are not tolerated with this soup pattern and unable to manage the long seven days programme. It is true this type of soup pattern causes flatulence in several people which is not fit for healthier atmosphere and there the need arises to seek for medical help. This extreme end of having no protein for the longer period causes muscle weakness and eventually the basal metabolic rate (BMR) is reduced. Thus the weight loss process is also delayed with no much result in weight loss. The deprived condition of fat and protein causes an unhealthy atmosphere.

The criticism on cabbage soup can be altered by reducing sodium and enhancing the soup with fat and protein proportionately and thereby a healthier and weight reducing cabbage soup can be made.

We all need food to survive but what type of food we take is important. Food that we take should be nutritious. There are many people who skip their breakfast just to keep their weight reduced.

The truth is that breakfast should never be skipped but at the same time it should contain nutritious stuff that will help to maintain a balanced weight. Making the right choice of food reduce the risk of illness such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes as well as it helps to defend against depression. Habit of healthy eating improves the health by boosting the energy, sharpening the memory and also stabilizing the mood.

Breakfast seems to be the most neglected meal of the day. This issue has to be taken into serious consideration while dealing with young children. The benefits of eating a healthy breakfast can be felt only when it includes plenty of fiber and no fatty foods at all.

Staying energetic the whole day is the outcome of having a healthy breakfast. Smart choices for breakfast ideas would include fiber grains, non sugar cereals, fruits, low fat milk and yoghurt, whole wheat, oatmeal and fruit smoothies.

As all of us know breakfast starts the day. Therefore it should contain nutritious food at the same time it should not increase the normal weight of the person. There are certain nutritious breakfasts that are guaranteed to help take the weight off. These foods will definitely help to have a balanced weight and at the same time keep you energetic and fresh for the rest of the day. Such breakfasts can be one among the following:

Cereal and milk :

A bowl of cereal and a glass of milk is a wonderful choice for breakfast. There are two to three acceptable choices of cereals. Cereals also can be taken along with certain mix ins including bananas, fresh and dried berries, honey, and also nuts. Also cereals can be mixed with yogurt and even chocolate milk. Children are sure to like this breakfast if you let them eat in the bowl they like and ask them their choice of cereal.

image by wikipedia

Oats :

Here also the choices can be made. Instant oats that are available now in various packs are really effective. Oatmeal can be of different flavors like blueberry, strawberry and even peach. To make the oatmeal more nutritious and tasty it can be topped with yoghurt, apple sauce, fruits and berries, or even with honey. To make it appetizing to the eyes of children you can also add few colorful sprinkles on the oatmeal.

image by chotda

Eggs :

There can be very few children who do not like egg. Therefore it can be chosen as the breakfast for all children who like it. Again the choice can be omelet, scrambled egg or sunny side up. Eggs can also be served along with sausage, lot of cheeses and cold cuts. Eggs can also be taken along with bacon, toasts, bagels and English muffins. This is very easy to make and will keep you full and happy for hours.

image by Jaime Walsh

Cakes :

There are varieties of pancakes that are available. Pancakes can be put in the toaster along with maple syrup and viola if you have no enough time to prepare the breakfast. On other days it can be taken along with batter and fillings. Other items that can be taken along with pancakes can be chopped apples, can berries, peaches, raisins, and marsh mellows.

image by wikipedia

French toast :

It is everybody’s favorite and it gives old bread a new life. It takes only few minutes to prepare but it is very yummy and brings a smile on the children’s face when they see it. Mix eggs, cinnamon, brown sugar and beat them along with little milk. Dip the old bread into it and make the toast. You can also enjoy the delicious toast by trying different breads like French bread, raisin bread, challah bread. To have a good treat make the French toast with bacon.

image by Jen44

Waffles :

Waffles seem to be the most easy and healthy breakfast that most of the busy people wish to have. If taken along with yoghurt it becomes even more nutritious. There are also different flavors available so that children do not get bored of eating the same thing. It can be eaten quickly even on your way to car or at your desk when you work.

image by Sashertootie

Muffins :

This is the breakfast that can be tried on weekends when children are at home. Baking muffins is really a good project that can be worked with children and they are sure to love the delicious breakfast. Muffins always have a good taste and therefore it becomes the favorite food of all. A little honey or jam makes them more perfect.

image by wikipedia

Smoothies :

Smoothies are yet again very easy and nutritious. Whatever is available for the season and whatever is available in the refrigerator can go inside the smoothies. Blend for few seconds and then enjoy the yummy smoothies. The choices can be bananas, milk, ice cream, orange juice, honey, butter, nuts and all types of berries.

image by ™ goraiapick ™ catching up

Bagels :

This breakfast is very nutritious and there are many options to personalize it also. Most of the people enjoy toasted bagels flavored with cream and cheese. You can also try bagels along with peanut butter and jelly, egg, salad, and salmon.

image by Green Olive Tree

Pastries :

Breakfast pastry can be taken on rare occasions though not advisable to take quite often. Though the sugar and fat content are more in pastries they also have protein and carbohydrates. So Taking pastry on a special day when you are out for picnic or so will make the day even more special.

image by Daniel Y. Go

Always remember to relax and have fun with breakfast. Never stress about it and sooner it will become the most favorite meal of the day. Healthy breakfast gives energy to start the day off right.

Moreover skipping breakfast will result in over eating at lunch time. Therefore it is good to have a healthy and yummy breakfast to maintain normal weight and proper health.

Body Mass Index is a method made to measure the ratio of body fat by using person’s height and weight statistically. Its not the accurate measure of body fat just an estimated one.

History: Invented by Belgian Polymath Adolphe Quetelet between 1830 and 1850. Body Mass Index is obtained by dividing a person’s weight to the square of its height in metric scale this formulae us height in metric scale. This formulae is used universally and it’s answer comes in unit measure of kg/m2.

In SJ Units – BMI = Mass (Kg) / Height2 (m2)

In Imperial Units – BMI = mass (lb) x 703 / height2 (in2)

Categories of BMI: According to universally developed BMI charts, the values of different body fats are as follow.

<18.5 is considered underweight
18.5 – 24.9 is considered Normal Weight
25 – 29.9 is considered Over Weight
30 or more is Obesity for sure.
Over 40 is Morbidly Obese.

Ideal BMI for Women

Regardless of the fashion trends and how you appear physically, what’s important physiologically in the BMI. If you are having values between 20-22, it’s good enough. Don’t follow any strict diet charts. Be happy as you are having acceptable appearance and best BMI value.

Ideal BMI for Men

Photo by sadalit

BMI of 23 and 25 is considered ideal for men.

BMI Chart

You can also calculate your Body Mass Index by using BMI chart where a horizontal axis displays weight and vertical axis displays height using Contour lines for BMI values or BMI categories are differentiated by using colours.

Popularity of BMI

In 1972 Ancel Key’s paper proved that BMI is the best method used to measure the body fat by using height and weight. He used it for population studies and individual analysis widely. It is simply a method to calculate any person’s fatness or thinness.

Therefore, physicians used this method worldwide dealing with Over and Underweight patients. Although its actual purpose was to simply classify the lethargic or sedentary people with normal body mass proportions.
BMI is directly proportional to weight for a given height, but inversely proportional to a given weight to the square of the height.

BMI Prime

BMI system is further modified to BMI Prime. It is the ratio of your actual BMI to the upper limit BMI which is 25 for Western countries. BMI Prime is a number without dimensions and International units.

According to BMI Prime

<0.74 are underweight

0.74 and 0.99 are Normal

1.00 and above are Overweight

For Asian countries the upper limit of BMI is 23 rather than 25.

Advantages of BMI System

It’s a very easy way to calculate how much a person is over or underweight by comparing his values with others of the same height. But the important thing to remember is that the body built is also responsible for the value. A person might be muscular rather than fatty so before losing weight must consult your physician first. BMI categories are not a tool to predict health status; there validity is limited to statistics only for adults.