What Does BMI Mean?

Your BMI (body mass index) is very good indicator of the amount of fat in your body. It is used as a screening tool to identify whether you are at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese. Your BMI is calculated to produce a numerical value of your weight in relation to your height.

BMI and COVID-19 Risk

According to the CDC, people who are obese and/or who have diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease or lung disease, are at a much higher risk for death if they get infected by the COVID19 virus. Part of the reason for this is, being obese increases the risk of a serious breathing problem called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is a major complication of COVID-19 and can cause difficulties with a doctor’s ability to provide respiratory support for seriously ill patients. Unfortunately, we anticipate that COVID-19 will remain a threat for a long while to come. One of the most important things you can do to improve your health immediately is to reduce your weight to normal, healthy level. Losing weight will absolutely improve your overall health and therefore reduce your risk of series illness should you ever become infected with the COVID-19 virus.

Why Your BMI Matters

Excess weight increases your risk of acquiring diseases. This risk increases the more overweight you are. Excess body fat makes your heart work harder, raises blood pressure, raises cholesterol levels, raises triglyceride levels and lowers your good cholesterol (HDL). Also, hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes are much more likely to develop when you are overweight. Long term, uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes (which often goes undetected for months or even years) wreaks havoc on your kidneys, heart and vascular system. Needless to say, being overweight is one of the most common causes of poor health in our country.

Click on the Calculator Below to Access Your Risk