Ever wondered why our BMI (i.e., Body Mass Index) fluctuates? Well, it is not just about our calorie intake. You must also think in terms of genetics, lifestyle, and even your sleep routine.
Many factors like age, sex, ethnicity, and lifestyle can easily alter the relationship between BMI and body fat. In fact, there are several factors affecting BMI. Moreover, BMI does not identify between extra fat, muscle, or bone mass nor provides insight into how fat gets broken down.
Let’s look closely at the factors that affect our BMI.
Factors Affecting BMI
Some factors that play a crucial role in determining our BMI are listed below.
- The Key Player: Do you see your family tree as a bunch of faces only? But they aren’t. It is a BMI Influencer. How your body’s muscles and fat grow or build is decided by the genetic hand you deal with. Hence, genes, along with family and ethnicity, play a significant role in our BMI.
- Environmental Pathogens: If you are wondering about how the environment can disturb our BMI, you must understand that pollution and unhealthy surroundings do play a vital part in increasing our weight. Certain gut bacteria and viruses (such as human adenovirus-36) are responsible for obesity in both adults and children.
- Lifestyle & Sleep: A sedentary lifestyle can lead to several clinical conditions like diabetes and hypertension. For instance, Activities done in our leisure time, such as sitting for prolonged periods or excessive screen time, can result in weight gain and alter our BMI. Also, inadequate sleep can result in a higher BMI. One can easily gain weight due to very little or excessive sleep.
- Alcohol & Smoking: The body’s metabolic rate increases after smoking, resulting in a limited intake of food. Similarly, the consumption of alcohol significantly impacts body weight. The energy/calories consumed get converted to fat and remain stored in our bodies. Thus, alcohol consumption and smoking lead to an increased BMI.
- Medication: Hypoglycaemic agents like insulin, antihypertensive medicines, as well as anti-allergens and anti-psychotic prescription drugs, can lead to an increase in weight. This can negatively impact our BMI.
- Prenatal Factors: Studies show that kids of obese women who smoke during pregnancy may become overweight later in life. Similarly, women who suffer from malnutrition during early pregnancy may have children with a higher risk of hypertension, diabetes, insulin resistance, and obesity.
- Dietary Habits: Restricting calorie intake is crucial in maintaining a healthy BMI, irrespective of one’s dietary pattern. A diet rich in nuts, yoghurt, fruits, whole grains, and vegetables aids in weight loss as well as maintaining a healthy weight. On the contrary, unhealthy dietary choices, like processed and junk food, as well as sugar-sweetened/aerated beverages, lead to unhealthy weight gain and increased BMI.
Conclusion
Maintaining a healthy BMI is not just about feeling good; it can also be a key player in securing affordable health insurance rates. Assess your BMI using the health insurance calculator. It’s not just about shedding pounds but understanding the diverse characters influencing your body. So, navigate the factors, and remember, your BMI is a unique story – embrace it with a breezy attitude!