What is the BMI, or body mass index?

Your height and weight are used by the body mass index (BMI) to determine whether your weight is healthy or not.

An adult’s weight in kilograms divided by their height in meters squared yields their BMI. A BMI of 25, for instance, indicates 25 kg/m2.

Let’s understand BMI in detail

A person’s BMI ranges from 18.5 to 25, where a BMI between 25 and 30 is regarded as overweight, and a BMI over 30 is regarded as obese. If a person’s BMI is under 18.5, they are deemed underweight.

BMI is not a perfect test, as it is with most health indicators. Pregnancy and high muscle mass, for instance, can distort the results, and it might not be a reliable indicator of health for young people or the elderly. What makes BMI important, then? Generally speaking, a higher BMI increases your chance of developing a number of diseases associated with being overweight, such as

• diabetes, arthritis, liver disease, and several cancers (including breast, colon, and prostate cancers)
• hypertension, or excessive blood pressure,
• elevated cholesterol apnea

Almost three million deaths worldwide are attributed to obesity and overweight, according to the WHO. Furthermore, individuals with high BMI frequently report feeling better after losing excess weight, both physically and psychologically, independent of any specific disease.

Is it time to stop giving BMI so much “weight”?

Perhaps. According to research, a person’s BMI alone frequently misclassifies their metabolic health, which is correlated with their body mass index and distribution of fat. Furthermore, BMI can be especially erratic in older people, athletes, and pregnant women.

This is actually not surprising at all. It would not be expected for BMI alone to indicate cardiovascular health or disease; the same is not true for blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar alone. Not only is cardiovascular health vital, but it’s not the only indicator of overall health! For instance, liver disease and arthritis are two conditions that may also be relevant to a person with an elevated BMI but were not included in the study previously mentioned. Moreover, BMI might be more helpful in forecasting future health than it is in assessing present health. Studies like these two suggest that people in good health who are overweight or obese have a higher chance of developing diabetes or other health problems in the future.

Another issue is that the current BMI classifications of obesity and overweight were primarily developed using data from white populations. However, racial and ethnic group differences can exist in body composition, including percentage of body fat and muscle mass. Therefore, BMI may be less reliable for predicting the health status of people from other racial and ethnic groups than it is for predicting the health status of White people.

For instance, using BMI measurements alone to define obesity tends to overestimate risk for Black people and underestimate it for Asian people. This could result in less-than-ideal counseling and care, which would ultimately widen healthcare disparities. Different BMI cutoffs are recommended by the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health for overweight and obesity in individuals of Asian descent. 

The following are a few of the home remedies to consider if you are on a weight loss journey or wish to start one.

1. Lemon and honey

   

Warm water with honey and a squeeze of lemon, consumed first thing in the morning, may help reduce weight gain, burn belly fat, and boost metabolism—all of which are potential anti-cellulite treatments. 

Natural honey is devoid of fat, cholesterol, and sodium. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is present in every cell in your body. Lemon has few calories, can increase feelings of fullness, and aid in calorie restriction. 

When lemon and honey are combined, they aid in fat burning, enhance digestion, and accelerate metabolism—all of the chemical processes that keep you alive.

When taken on an empty stomach, honey and lemon water can help with digestion, liver detoxification, constipation (defined as fewer than three bowel movements per week), and skin health. 

Pour a cup of warm water into it and squeeze in half a lemon. Blend together two tsp honey and enjoy. During the day, sip one to two cups of this concoction.

2. Tea with Hibiscus. 

Hibiscus contains flavonoids, a diverse group of plant chemicals that help maintain a healthy weight, anthocyanins, which are blue, red, or purple pigment compounds that fight obesity, and phenolic compounds, which are unnecessary dietary components found in vegetable foods that aid in weight loss. 

Sipping hibiscus tea can aid in controlling fat metabolism and aid in the removal of fat from the body.  

Drinking hibiscus tea can help you maintain a healthy weight balance and shrink fat cells. 

To a liter of water, add two teaspoons of dry hibiscus leaves. After about ten to fifteen minutes of boiling, strain them. 

Consume no fewer than two glasses daily to aid in weight loss.

3. Green tea

It contains a lot of caffeine, which enhances your body’s ability to burn fat and perform better during exercise. It has a lot of catechins, which are antioxidants that help speed up metabolism. 

An ingredient found in green tea called theanine is a kind of amino acid that effectively calms and relaxes the mind, which lowers stress. Cortisol is a hormone released during stress, and elevated cortisol levels are linked to weight gain. Green tea has been shown to reduce stress and aid in weight loss.

For about fifteen minutes, bring one cup of water to a boil with green tea leaves. After straining, stir in one teaspoon of honey, and drink. For best effects, drink green tea two or three times a day.

4. Tea with oolong leaves. 

Oolong teas are a popular Chinese beverage that is said to speed up your metabolism. It inhibits the growth of fat cells and aids in the metabolism of fat. Antioxidants found in oolong tea aid in weight loss and the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. 

Pour one teaspoon of oolong tea into a cup and fill it with piping hot water. After letting it steep for seven or eight minutes, let it cool. Drink it twice a day with honey added.

5. Tea with ginger

Ginger tea aids in decreasing appetite and increasing feelings of fullness. You as a result eat less and continue to maintain a healthy weight and diet. It is high in antihypertensive (lowers blood pressure) and anti-inflammatory qualities, and it aids in boosting thermogenesis, which helps burn excess fat. 

Antihypertensives may aid in weight loss and reduce visceral belly fat in certain individuals, according to studies. In a similar vein, lowering inflammation through diet or anti-inflammatory foods can help with weight loss.

Put one teaspoon of grated ginger into a cup of water and bring it to a boil. Simmer until the water has evaporated completely. Stir in honey thoroughly. At least twice a day, sip on it.

6. Ground cinnamon

It has been used for years to help people lose weight, and those with metabolic disorders—disorders caused by disease or malfunctioning organs such as the pancreas or liver—are especially advised to use it.

Due to their sluggish metabolisms, people with diabetes or heart disease can also benefit greatly from cinnamon treatment. 

Cinnamon helps you maintain a healthy weight by increasing metabolism and lowering cholesterol.

Add a teaspoon of powdered cinnamon to a glass of water. Blend it with a teaspoon of honey and drink it every day on an empty stomach.

7. Milk

It is teeming with beneficial bacteria that support the normal operation of your digestive system. By assisting you in getting rid of all the excess fat that has accumulated in your body, it helps to facilitate weight loss. 

Individuals with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular (heart) diseases should also consume yogurt. 

Lactic acid bacteria, which is found in yogurt, is excellent for the gut and aids in the body’s increased fat loss. To reduce weight, consume once a day, every day.

You can mix yogurt into your fruit and vegetable salad or choose one of the flavor-enhanced varieties that are easily found in stores.

8. Drinking Cranberry Juice

It is full of nutrients that are good for your body, like calcium, and vitamins C, and A. Its abundant antioxidant content aids in controlling the health of the digestive and urinary systems. It aids in the body’s detoxification and increases metabolism, both of which lead to weight loss.

Have two glasses of cranberry juice a day.

9. A liquid aloe vera

It works wonders for increasing metabolism and burning off the calories you’ve eaten all day. Aloe vera juice also helps with weight loss and the body’s natural reduction of inflammation. 

Aloe vera juice should be consumed two to three times daily.

10. Seed of fenugreek

It also goes by the name methi, which aids in boosting your body’s metabolism. Its high fiber content helps to suppress appetite and keep you from overindulging by lowering your sense of hunger. 

In addition to iron, it is a rich source of vitamins A and D. 

Chewing on methi seeds on a daily basis can help with weight loss and digestion.

11. Seeds from Carom

Often referred to as ajwain, this plant is rich in minerals, vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. It assists in blood pressure maintenance, cholesterol balancing, and inflammation reduction in your body because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally helpful for detoxification are carom seeds.

12. Cumin Seeds

It is helpful in accelerating the metabolism and aid in burning fat more quickly. If you take cumin seeds or cumin water every day for twenty to thirty days, you can lose belly fat. 

It is especially helpful for constipation sufferers as it increases the activity of the digestive enzyme in your stomach. 

• Every day, empty your stomach once in the morning and drink cumin water.
• Additional Preventive Advice for Sustaining a Healthy Weight
• Steer clear of carb-rich foods like bread, pasta, and frozen meals of any kind.
• Steer clear of tobacco and alcohol consumption, as these are two additional factors contributing to weight gain.
• Stay hydrated throughout the day to keep your weight at a healthy level.
• Consume fish and lean meats, which are high in protein.
• Add nuts and fruits to your diet.
• Steer clear of foods heavy in salt and sugar.
• To keep your weight in check, get regular exercise and be active.
• Eat smaller meals on a regular basis.
• Do yoga or work out each day.

The secret to avoiding obesity is to keep your weight in check. Stay stress-free, eat well, sleep well, and lead an active lifestyle to prevent obesity and other disorders. If you’re having trouble dropping weight, speak with your doctor.