A high BMI may qualify you for a Covid-19 vaccine. See how to check

A high BMI may qualify you for a Covid-19 vaccine. See how to check

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The United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention lists obesity as an underlying medical condition and defines it as someone who has a body mass index of 30 or higher, but less than 40. Having a high BMI, however, does not it necessarily means that you’re unhealthy.
Assessing your BMI is a quick and dirty way to indirectly measure the amount of fat your body has. The CDC has created a calculator for children and adults to find their number.

For adults, a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is in the normal range, 25 to 29.9 is overweight and 30 and over is obese. A BMI of 40 or more is sometimes classified as “extreme” or “severe” obesity, notes the CDC.

Having a BMI above 30 can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, said Dr. Rosen Clifford, director of the Maine Medical Center Research Center’s Center for Clinical and Translational Research.

Obesity also increases the risk of a more serious reaction to Covid-19, he said.

There are some rare cases where a healthy person reports a harmful BMI number, according to Clifford. Weight trainers and physically fit people have a lot of muscle in them, which could create a high BMI index, said Dr. Caroline Apovian, director of nutrition and weight control at Boston Medical Center and professor of medicine and pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicament.

“Many football players have a BMI of 30, 35 or even 40, but they are all muscles, so they are extremely healthy,” said Apovian.

If you are unsure whether your high BMI is due to fat or muscle, Apovian recommended consulting a weight loss specialist for more specific tests.

How to decrease your BMI number

It is possible to reduce your BMI through diet and exercise, said Clifford.

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The first step is to understand that it is not your fault, he noted, and to take responsibility for your body.

Say to yourself, “I don’t know what caused it, but I’m going to do something about it,” he said.

Changing your diet is an important step in the weight loss process, emphasized Clifford. Individuals should limit the amount of processed foods they consume and replace it with whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Conscious eating is another way to lose weight, said Dr. Robert Kushner, professor of medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. This is where people slow down when they eat and enjoy the food in front of them.

“It’s slowing down, putting your fork on the table … planning what you’re eating in advance and being aware of your portion sizes,” said Kushner.

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People should not consume less than 1,200 to 1,500 calories a day without the permission of a weight loss specialist.

If you’re overeating, Apovion recommended creating a moderate calorie deficit to lower your BMI. People should start losing about 1 to 2 pounds a week, which shows that their efforts are paying off.

The next step in reducing your BMI is to exercise.

About 150 minutes of exercise per week, which is divided into about 20 minutes of exercise per day, is a great way to reduce body weight, said Clifford.

Apovian also recommended weight training at least twice a week because it can build muscle, which helps to burn fat.

Take walks out of the house, do virtual exercises and go to the gym when it’s safe, suggested Clifford.

For more extreme cases or general help, he emphasized that it is important to consult a weight loss specialist.

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