• Published on: Nov 27, 2021
  • 3 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

Understanding Body Mass Index Chart?

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Understanding body mass index chart?

The body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body weight in relation to height, and it's calculated by dividing the person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. A high BMI indicates that you're at risk for various health problems like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, gallstones, and more.

On the other hand. people with lower BMI are at increased risk for osteoporosis. So keep your diet under control! Remember this too- women have smaller bones than men because they have different levels of estrogen so while adults should not let their BMI get below 18 or above 24 there are certain teens who need to stay at 18 or below to avoid becoming obese). 

A body mass index chart is a graphical comparison of an individual’s height and weight. It also takes into account the sex of the person to generate a number that helps approximate their body fat percentage. BMI is the ratio of height to weight (weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared). A person's BMI is considered "overweight" when the number falls between 25 and 29; "obese" when it exceeds 30. 

Maintaining a healthy body weight is associated with length of life and the prevention of chronic illness. Excessive weight is associated with increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, and certain cancers. A general rule of thumb is that if you have been maintaining your current body weight or losing more than two pounds per week on most diets for two months without any signs that your weight is stable at a lower level then it is time to go on a different diet program to avoid excessive loss rates.

Body Mass Index or BMI is the weight in kilograms divided by the square of his height in meters. Using this chart, you can determine how close your BMI is to being overweight. If your body mass index is 25-29.9, you are overweight. If it falls between 30-39.9, you are obese and if it falls at 40 or over, then you have morbid obesity, which is an extreme increase in body fat with the potential of leading to health complications down the line due to excess carrying of food weight on your frame."

The body mass index chart ranges from underweight to morbidly obese. It is based on the same number line as height, so you can see how weight increases at different heights. Although it is not an accurate measure of fatness due to body composition discrepancies, if your BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9 then you are a generally healthy weight for that height classification.

BMI Chart, which is also called the Quetelet Body Mass Index chart, was created by the Belgian scientist Adolphe Quetelet in 1832. It can be used to measure relative weight under idealized conditions for height for various populations. But it has been criticized as an appropriate measure of obesity because it does not take into account variations in body fat distributions (android versus gynoid). The BMI is defined as one's weight divided by their height squared, or generally written as kg/m2.

This chart is very accurate, but it’s difficult to find a BMI that fits your situation. Most people fall between 23-27.5 for Women and 27-30 for Men. But if you are research shows you are an athlete with low body fat, or someone who has gained weight due to metabolic syndrome, chronic conditions or pregnancy - the BMI will not be accurate enough.

It's important to know what's happening with your weight so you can have a better understanding of how much excess fat blood sugar levels have on how you feel every day just by looking at the mirror. The BMI chart below can be used to find a healthy body weight. If your height and weight don't match the closest standard height and weight, adjust the height and weight until they align with one of the symbols. Height should be measured in feet and inches (preferred) or simply in centimeters (feet?3; x 0.0254 = meters; pounds/inches?2; x 0.0254= kilograms).

A lot of people who don't have good diets tend to be heavier. When you're heavy, your hormone levels are often imbalanced, which can cause you to stop producing enough insulin or produce too much for the body's needs. That can lead to type 2 diabetes  if left untreated  and is one reason why it might seem like people who eat junk food age faster than those with healthy appetites."  What is BMI? BMI stands for Body Mass Index; it's used as an indication of total body fatness for most men and women above 20 years old (this varies).

The BMI chart was originally created to classify people in various ranges of weight. There are many different variations of the classification chart. They were not specifically designed for athletes, although an athlete weighing 200 lbs would be considered overweight by some calculations, while others would consider them healthy.

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Virtual Cooking Class with Dietitian: A New Era of Healthy Eating in India

Virtual Cooking Class with Dietitian: A New Era of Healthy Eating in India

Healthy eating has become a top priority for individuals across India. With rising lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and PCOS, food decisions now play a critical role in preventive healthcare. However, most people struggle with questions like what to cook, how to modify recipes, and how to balance nutrition with traditional Indian meals.

Virtual cooking classes with dietitians are transforming how Indians learn about food. They combine practical kitchen skills with scientific nutrition knowledge-something traditional cooking tutorials cannot offer. SecondMedic integrates expert dietitians, AI-driven nutrition analysis and preventive health frameworks to support individuals in building lifelong healthy eating habits.

This blog explores how virtual cooking classes work, why they matter and how they support long-term health.

 

Why India Needs Dietitian-Led Cooking Classes

Rising Lifestyle Diseases

The ICMR Nutrition and Metabolic Health Study reports alarming trends:

  • Over 100 million diabetic individuals

  • High prevalence of fatty liver

  • Vitamin deficiencies in large sections of the population

  • Increasing PCOS, thyroid disorders and obesity
     

Many of these conditions are strongly influenced by diet.

Lack of Nutrition Awareness

NFHS-5 highlights low dietary diversity among Indian households. People often overconsume oil, sugar and refined grains without realising the long-term impact.

Busy Lifestyles

Urban professionals struggle to plan meals due to:

  • Time constraints

  • Lack of structured nutrition knowledge

  • Dependence on takeaways and packaged food
     

Virtual cooking sessions solve these problems by offering guided, practical learning directly from home.

 

What Happens in a Virtual Cooking Class?

A SecondMedic virtual cooking class includes:

1. Live Demonstrations

Dietitians prepare recipes step-by-step while explaining:

  • Nutrient functions

  • Health benefits

  • Cooking techniques

  • Smart portion strategies
     

2. Ingredient Education

Participants learn about:

  • Low-GI alternatives

  • High-fibre grains

  • Clean protein sources

  • Anti-inflammatory spices

  • Healthy fats
     

3. Meal Planning Guidance

Classes often include weekly planning tips to simplify daily decisions.

4. Nutrient Breakdown

AI-based tools analyse the recipe’s:

  • Sugar load

  • Sodium balance

  • Protein density

  • Vitamin & mineral profile
     

5. Condition-Specific Variations

Recipes can be adapted for:

  • Diabetes

  • PCOS

  • Thyroid health

  • Heart health

  • Weight loss
     

This ensures suitability across lifestyles.

 

Benefits of Virtual Cooking Classes

1. Practical, Hands-On Learning

Participants cook alongside the dietitian, making learning interactive and easy to remember.

2. Prevention-Focused

Unlike regular cooking tutorials, these sessions emphasise preventive eating patterns recommended by WHO and NITI Aayog.

3. Customisable for Families

Healthy recipes become household-friendly, improving community nutrition.

4. Convenient and Accessible

Join from anywhere without travel or scheduling challenges.

5. Increases Long-Term Adherence

When people understand why a recipe is healthy, they adopt it more consistently.

 

Example Recipe Taught in Class

Vegetable Khichdi (Diabetes-Friendly Version):

  • Moong dal for high protein

  • Mixed vegetables for fibre

  • Minimal ghee

  • Brown rice/millet for lower GI

  • Turmeric + cumin for anti-inflammatory benefit
     

SecondMedic’s AI engine evaluates glycaemic impact and micronutrient density.

 

Integrating Virtual Cooking With Preventive Care

SecondMedic combines cooking classes with:

  • Teleconsultations

  • Diet assessments

  • AI nutrition scores

  • Weight and glucose monitoring

  • Lifestyle coaching
     

This creates a unified ecosystem for long-term behaviour change.

 

Conclusion

Virtual cooking classes with dietitians empower individuals to transform their daily meals into preventive healthcare tools. By teaching practical skills, nutrition fundamentals and personalised recipe adjustments, these classes make healthy eating accessible, enjoyable and sustainable.

SecondMedic is redefining preventive nutrition by blending expert guidance with digital interactivity and AI insights-helping people cook better, eat smarter and live healthier.

References

• ICMR Nutrition & Metabolic Health Study - Dietary Impact on Chronic Diseases
• National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
• NITI Aayog - Preventive Healthcare & Nutrition Strategy for India
• WHO Healthy Eating & Non-Communicable Disease Guidelines
• Lancet Public Health - Effectiveness of Lifestyle Interventions
• Statista India Digital Health & Online Learning Trends
• EY-FICCI Digital Nutrition & Virtual Wellness Report

See all

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