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

Understanding Body Mass Index Chart?

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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Stroke Warning Signs for Indians Over 40: Early Detection Can Save Lives

Introduction

Stroke is a major health issue in India — both as a cause of death and lifelong disability. For people over 40, the risk climbs sharply. The earlier a stroke is recognized and treated, the better the chances of recovery. In this post, we’ll look at the warning signs of stroke especially relevant in Indians over 40, backed by real survey data, the risk factors common in India, what to do, and how to act fast. Understanding these can help you or your loved ones catch a stroke early and reduce damage.

How Big Is the Problem in India, Especially After 40

According to a 2024 study using Global Burden of Disease data, stroke incidence in India has increased from 76 per 100,000 people in 1990 to ??88 per 100,000 in 2021 for all ages.
Stroke incidence and burden are especially high among people aged 50-69 and over 70.
Another study in North India showed that a large number of adults over 45 lacked awareness about warning signs of stroke: nearly 46% didn’t know warning signs.
Among hypertensive patients (~mean age 54) from Western Rajasthan, about 75% recognized at least one stroke symptom like slurred speech or body-weakness, but 25-30% still lacked awareness.

These figures show that though awareness is improving, there is a significant gap in recognition of warning signs among people over 40 — a high-risk group.

Warning Signs of Stroke (What to Look Out For)

In Indians over 40, common symptoms are similar globally, but here are those particularly reported in Indian surveys:

Sudden Weakness or Numbness on One Side
Many people identified “paralysis of one side of the body” or weakness in an arm or leg. In a Tamil Nadu hospital-based survey, 56% of respondents recognized this symptom.
Facial Droop or Deviation
One side of face droops or mouth slants. In the same survey, ~20% noted deviation of the mouth.
Speech Problems
Slurring, garbled speech, or trouble understanding what others are saying. ~16% in that survey recognized speech impairment.
Vision Disturbance
Sudden trouble with sight in one or both eyes (blurring, loss of vision). Awareness of this is lower: about 53% recognized vision disturbances in a Kerala survey.
Loss of Balance, Dizziness, Severe Headache
Sudden loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, confusion, or sudden, severe headache are also warning signs. Surveys show these are less well recognized compared to motor or speech symptoms but still important.

Risk Factors: What Makes Stroke More Likely After Age 40

Understanding risk helps prevention:

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) — arguably the biggest factor. Many over-40 Indians have undiagnosed or uncontrolled high BP.
Diabetes Mellitus — often co-exists; increases damage to blood vessels.
Dyslipidemia (High Cholesterol / Lipids)
Smoking & Tobacco Use — cigarettes, chewing tobacco.
Alcohol Use
Obesity / Sedentary Lifestyle
Dietary Risks — high sodium, low fruits/vegetables.
Heart Conditions — atrial fibrillation, prior heart disease.
Other — age itself, stress, sometimes air pollution.

Awareness & Knowledge: What Indian Surveys Reveal

In the Rajasthan survey among hypertensive patients (mean age ~54), around 75-80% knew at least one major warning sign (one?side weakness, speech or vision issues), but 25-30% were unaware.
In a community survey in Kerala, 94.2% identified facial weakness, 86.6% speech disturbances, 84.5% limb weakness. But only ~53% recognized vision issues as a symptom.
In a North Indian telephone survey, nearly half the participants (?46%) did not know warning signs.

So even in literate, more urban or health-aware areas, a non-trivial proportion of people over 40 are not fully aware.

Why Early Recognition Matters

Treatments like thrombolysis (clot-busting medications) are time sensitive — often must be given within a few hours (“golden hour”). Delays drastically reduce benefit.
Early hospital arrival, correct diagnosis, and starting therapy quickly can reduce severity, prevent permanent disability, reduce mortality.
Preventing recurrence: once someone has had a stroke (or mini-stroke), risk of further strokes increases. Early intervention (lifestyle, medicines) matters.

What to Do If You or Someone Over 40 Notices These Signs

Don’t Delay — If sudden facial droop, weakness on one side, speech issues, vision trouble, or sudden severe headache occurs, seek emergency medical help immediately (call ambulance / go to hospital).
Note the Time — When symptoms started. Critical for treatment options.
Diagnostic Tests may include CT/MRI brain, ECG, carotid imaging, labs (blood sugar, lipids etc.).
Medical Management — Control high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol; anticoagulants if needed; lifestyle changes.
Rehabilitation — Speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy if deficits remain.

Real Numbers: What Are the Outcomes / Burden

Adjusted stroke prevalence in India is estimated between 84 and 262 strokes per 100,000 in rural areas, and 334-424 per 100,000 in urban areas depending on the region.
Among those aged 55+, stroke rates jump — e.g., in Trivandrum, rate is ~7.1 per 1,000 people per year for 55+, rising to 13.3 per 1,000 for those aged 75+.
The chance of having a stroke after 55 is roughly 1 in 5 for women and 1 in 6 for men in certain studies, though this includes all adults over 55.

Challenges in India

Delays in recognising signs and reaching hospital. Many people don’t know less obvious symptoms.
Low awareness of treatments and golden period for therapy. Surveys show only a small fraction know about clot lysis or emergency window.
Access issues: hospitals with stroke care, imaging etc. may be far. Costs, transport, awareness all barriers.
Comorbidities often unmanaged (hypertension, diabetes).

Prevention: What Indians Over 40 Can Do Now

Regular health checkups: Monitor blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol.
Lifestyle changes: Healthy diet (low salt, more fruits/veg), active lifestyle, avoid tobacco, limit alcohol.
Stay alert to symptoms: Educate self / family about warning signs.
Emergency planning: Know nearest hospital that handles stroke, keep travel / transport options ready.
Medication adherence: If prescribed (for BP, diabetes, heart conditions), don’t skip.

Conclusion & Call to Action

Stroke warning signs for Indians over 40 are often clear—but awareness is still incomplete. Because stroke risk increases with age, recognizing the early warning signs like sudden weakness, facial droop, speech trouble, vision disturbance, and balance issues can make all the difference.

If you or someone over 40 feels any of these, act fast. Time matters. Go to the hospital immediately.

CTA: If you’re over 40, schedule a stroke risk assessment today — check your blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and get informed about warning signs. A simple health check can save your life or someone you care about.

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