Fat, adipose tissue is really a specialized form of loose connective tissue. The body needs fat to form a protective cushion around the kidneys, heart, eyeballs and various joints. It also accumulates under the skin where it provides insulation for heat. Adipose tissue is an efficient energy storage material for excess calories. Although our body requires fat, an over abundance of fat is associated with serious health problems such as some types of cancer, diabetes, osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease. Body Mass Index is commonly used as an indicator for obesity and is correlated to an increase risk of cardiovascular disease. The Body Mass Index is a simple weight-to-height ratio. The theory behind this method is that weight-to-height ratios across the general population have a positive relationship with percent of body fat.
Body Mass Index is a useful tool to screen the general population, but, similar to height-weight charts, it fails to differentiate fat from lean body mass or where most of the fat is located. Using BMI people, even athletes, who have a large amount of muscle mass (i.e., body builders, football players) easily can fall in the moderate or even high-risk disease categories. BMI is affected by variables such as large amounts of muscle mass and should therefore be considered as a tool for estimating the degree of health risk.
Note:
Please keep in mind that you should never rely on one assessment when evaluating you body composition. There are many variables that influence your results (i.e., degree of error in measurement, precision of reliability of the measurements, etc.). Using a variety of techniques and implementing the process of scientific method will help you learn about human physiology and concepts of a healthier life style.
Task
1. Determine your Body Mass Index using your body measurements
2. Assess if you are at a possible Health risk for diseases related to being obese using your Body Mass Index calculations
3. Assess if you are at a possible Health risk for disease related to being underweight using your Body Mass Index calculations
Materials
Standard cloth measuring tape: units in inches (in) and centimeters (cm)
Body weight scale: units in pounds (lb) or kilograms (kg)
Process
Prodedure 1. Measurements in American Standard units:
a. Measure and record your weight in pounds (lbs.):
b. Measure and record your height in inches (in.):
c. Body Mass Index = [(your weight X 705) � body height] � body height
OR
Procedure 2. Measurements in Metric units:
a. Convert your weight to kilograms: ___lbs. X 0.4536 kg/lb = kg.
b. Convert your body height to meters: ( ___in. X 2.54 cm.) � 100 cm/m = m.
c. Body Mass Index = weight in kilograms � height squared in meters
Measure and calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) and enter all information in Body Mass Index Please e-mail me this document to [email protected]
Disease Risk According to Body Mass Index (BMI)
Bod Mass Index (BMI)
Disease Risk
less than 20.00
Moderate to Very Hign
20.00 to 21.99
Low
22.00 to 24.99
Very Low
25.00 to 29.99
Low
30.00 to 34.99
Moderate
35.00 to 39.99
High
Greater than 40.00
Very High
According to BMI, the lowest risk for chronic disease is in the 22 to 25 range. Individuals are classified as overweight between 25 and 30. BMIs above 30 are defined as obese and below 20 as underweight.
Critical Thinking:
1. What can you conclude about your health according to your Body Mass Index?
2. If Mayor Bloomberg requires all students to have a healthy body composition to graduate from high school in New York City, would you meet this graduation requirement using your BMI? (Explain) Do you think it is fair to establish similar body composition guidelines as criteria on job applications of N.Y.C. high school graduates? Justify your response.
3. After reviewing your class� results for BMI assessment, would you conclude that the majority of the participants maintain a low fat diet and regular exercise? Support your hypothesis with evidence from the data collected.
Body Mass Index (BMI) Class Data
Sex
Age
Height
Weight
Body Mass Index
Disease Risk
Data Analysis
After reviewing the class data propose a minimum of two questions relating the data to Body Mass Index or body composition or health risk. All answers are to be recorded inBody Mass Index.
Design a double Stem-and-Leaf Plot to define the comparison of data.
