I checked my body mass index and percentage of body fat today. It was very easy. After inputting my height, weight, age and gender to an Osron Body Fat Monitor, I held it with both hands, keeping them outstretched, and after a few seconds the figures appeared on a tiny screen. The machine measures electrical resistance by passing a tiny current around the body. It is slowed down more by fat than muscle.

You can work out your own Body Mass Index (known as your BMI) without a gadget. This figure is used by insurance companies when determining life insurance policies.

Multiply your height in metres by your height in metres. So if you are 1.5 metres tall, it would be 1.5 x 1.5 = 2.25
Divide the answer by your weight in kilograms. Using the same example, if you weigh 60kg, the calculation would be 60 divided by 2.25 = 26.67

The answer you get is your body mass index, which you can check against a chart to get an indication of how your weight might affect your health. Body mass index is thought to be associated with your risk of developing heart disease, some cancers and osteoporosis.

Your BMI doesn’t make any allowances for muscles though. You may be healthier than the chart suggests, so that’s why I did the body fat percentage test as well.

Both gave me healthy readings, but not as good as I would like. It’s a helpful reminder to keep eating fruit and vegetables and to do more exercise.

(The results are not accurate for children or pregnant/breastfeeding women.)

Catherine

Osron Body Fat Monitor