The Body Mass Index is a tool often used to determine the general health of a person. It indicates whether someone is underweight, overweight, obese, or at a healthy weight. According to the BMI, the healthy weight range for an adult is 18.5 to 24.9. Body mass index is a good initial evaluation of one’s health and potential weight problems. However, it should not be used as a diagnostic tool nor is it an excellent method of assessing healthy weight ranges. This is due to the fact that the Body Mass Index fails to take into account other factors that can contribute to weight, other than fat. These factors include muscle mass, bone density, overall body composition, and racial and gender differences. Taking into account these many factors, the BMI is an inaccurate method of assessing what a healthy weight range is. Say there were two individuals who were both 5 feet 10 inches and weighed 195 lbs., according to their BMI they would both be considered overweight. However, if one of the individuals were a weight lifter, their weight would come from their muscle mass, not …show more content…
Underweight women have reduced fertility and it can cause hormonal imbalances. These hormonal imbalances can “affect ovulation and therefore a woman’s chance of getting pregnant” (“Fertility and Woman’s Weight”). They are also “twice as likely to take more than a year to get pregnant” (“Fertility and Woman’s Weight”). Women who are overweight or obese have increased risks of complications during pregnancy. These complications include “miscarriage, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and blood clotting” (“Fertility and Woman’s Weight”). Men also face problems when trying conceive if they are underweight. Underweight and overweight/obese men may have reduced sperm quality, and therefore fertility. Overweight or obese men also experience hormonal changes and have problems getting an