Is a BMI of 26.5 considered obese for men?

Hello,

1. What does BMI mean? Is a BMI of 26.5 high or low?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. BMI does not directly measure total body fat; however, it correlates with total body fat. This means that as BMI increases, the total body fat of a person also tends to increase. For children and adolescents aged 2-18, BMI calculations consider age and gender in addition to height and weight. But for most adults, an ideal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. Thus, a BMI of 26.5 is considered high compared to the standard BMI ratio for adults.

2. Does a BMI of 26.5 indicate any health issues?

There are two scoring systems to evaluate BMI according to WHO (World Health Organization) and IDI&WPRO (Asia-Pacific Regional Association), where IDI&WPRO is more appropriate for the anthropometric characteristics of East Asian people (long torso and short legs, making them more susceptible to overweight and obesity compared to individuals of other races with the same height and weight). Thus, according to WHO standards, a BMI of 26.5 falls into the overweight category, but according to IDI&WPRO standards, it falls into class 1 obesity.

In addition to your BMI measurement, healthcare professionals may consider other factors when assessing whether you have a healthy weight. Muscle is denser than fat, so individuals with well-developed muscles, such as heavyweight boxers, weightlifters, and athletes, may have a healthy weight despite being classified as "obese" based on BMI. Conversely, an elderly person or someone frail may have a normal weight while having low muscle mass and high body fat. Therefore, for the most accurate assessment, you should consult health experts directly.

However, based purely on the number, a BMI of 26.5 indicates that you are overweight and have a high BMI. Those with high BMIs are at increased risk for:

• High cholesterol or other lipid disorders
• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Certain types of cancer
• Gallbladder disease
• Sleep apnea and snoring
• Osteoarthritis and joint issues

BMI is one of the tools used to calculate health risks.

3. Is it difficult to adjust BMI?

BMI is calculated by dividing weight by the square of height. Therefore, adjusting BMI involves modifying your weight. The best approach is to make simple changes toward a healthier lifestyle. Here are some steps you can take:

3.1. Balanced diet and calorie control

This is the golden ticket to a healthy BMI. By choosing healthier foods, reducing portion sizes, and cutting down on high-calorie foods and drinks, you are more likely to achieve a healthy BMI steadily.

3.2. Be aware of hidden "sugars"

Governments recommend that adults should not consume more than 30 grams of sugar daily. Exceeding the recommended sugar intake can be a real barrier to achieving or maintaining a healthy BMI. Be cautious as "sugar" often sneaks into many unexpected foods such as:

• Granola and cereals
• Canned fruit
• Salad dressingsKetchup, etc.

Thus, check the sugar content of packaged products and homemade foods

3.3. Get your heart pumping

The more exercise you do, the more you can healthily reduce your BMI. The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week (e.g., brisk walking, hiking, or cycling) or 75 minutes of vigorous activity. You should combine cardiovascular workouts with strength training to enhance core muscles and achieve better weight loss results.

3.4. Move more

Walking or cycling to work, opting for the stairs instead of the elevator, are healthy changes towards achieving a healthier BMI. Using a step tracker on your phone is a great way to monitor your daily movement. If you can’t get to the gym, try to walk 10,000 steps a day.

Best wishes,

Thank you for your question. If you have any further inquiries, please contact us directly for prompt assistance from the Dripcare team of doctors and specialists.