Wellness insights

Vital Health Blog

Evidence-based articles on BMI, body composition, nutrition, and movement so you can approach your health goals with clarity and confidence.

Latest deep dives

March 8, 2025 9 minute read

BMI and Metabolic Syndrome: The Hidden Health Connection

Learn about the connection between BMI and metabolic syndrome. Discover how BMI predicts metabolic health risks and prevention strategies.

Key takeaways
  • Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when you have three or more of five key risk factors.
  • BMI is strongly associated with metabolic syndrome risk, especially central obesity.
  • Early identification through BMI screening can prevent serious health complications.

March 1, 2025 8 minute read

BMI Calculator Accuracy: Understanding the Limitations

Understand BMI calculator limitations and accuracy issues. Learn when BMI may misclassify health status and alternative assessment methods.

Key takeaways
  • BMI accuracy varies significantly based on individual body composition and muscle mass.
  • Athletes, older adults, and people with certain medical conditions may be misclassified.
  • Combine BMI with other measurements like waist circumference and body fat percentage for better assessment.

February 22, 2025 7 minute read

Waist-to-Height Ratio: Why It Might Be Better Than BMI

Learn how waist-to-height ratio compares to BMI for health assessment. Simple measurement that better predicts metabolic risk and cardiovascular health.

Key takeaways
  • Waist-to-height ratio better predicts metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk than BMI alone.
  • The measurement is simple: waist circumference divided by height, with a target ratio below 0.5.
  • This metric is particularly valuable for people with high muscle mass or those in borderline BMI categories.

February 15, 2025 6 minute read

BMI Categories Explained: What Your Number Really Means

Complete guide to BMI categories from underweight to obese. Learn what each BMI range means, health risks, and when to consult healthcare professionals.

Key takeaways
  • BMI categories are based on population-level health data and provide general risk guidelines.
  • Each category carries different health implications, from nutritional deficiencies to metabolic risks.
  • BMI is a screening tool—individual factors like muscle mass and body composition matter too.

February 9, 2025 9 minute read

BMR vs. TDEE: How to Personalize Your Calorie Targets

Learn how basal metabolic rate (BMR) and total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) relate to BMI so you can set calorie targets that align with your goals.

Key takeaways
  • BMR covers the calories your body needs at complete rest, while TDEE layers in movement, digestion, and lifestyle factors.
  • Use the BMI calculator outputs plus your activity level to set maintenance or deficit targets that respect recovery.
  • Adaptive thermogenesis can lower calorie needs as you lose weight—adjust intake every 4–6 weeks to stay on track.

January 26, 2025 8 minute read

How Fast Should You Lose Weight? Evidence-Based Pace Guidelines

Discover the safest weekly weight-loss targets, how BMI influences your calorie deficit, and strategies to maintain muscle on the journey.

Key takeaways
  • Aim for 0.5% to 1% of total body weight loss per week unless advised otherwise by a clinician.
  • Pair a modest calorie deficit with resistance training and 90–120 grams of protein daily to protect lean mass.
  • Use waist-to-height ratio alongside BMI to confirm you are losing visceral fat rather than water weight.

January 12, 2025 7 minute read

BMI vs. Body Fat Percentage: Which Metric Should You Trust?

Learn the differences between BMI and body fat percentage, how each is calculated, and when it makes sense to rely on one metric over the other.

Key takeaways
  • BMI correlates with health risk at the population level but can misclassify athletes or people with higher muscle mass.
  • Body fat percentage distinguishes fat from lean mass, yet it requires specialized tools or formulas to estimate accurately.
  • Track both BMI trends and waist measurements to capture metabolic risk while accounting for body composition changes.