History of BMI

The BMI was invented in the mid 1800s by a Belgian statistician named Adolphe Quetelet. The original name for this formula was the Quetelet Index, but in 1972 it was change to the BMI by a scientist named Ancel Keys who slightly modified the equation from its original form and popularized it in the West. Using a mathematic equation, Quetelet asserted that it was possible to determine one’s ideal weight for their height. Keys went further to suggest that the BMI could be used as a proxy of measurement for quickly determining the fat content ratio of a population sampling for the purposes of charting the then burgeoning epidemic of obesity. However, the formula’s simplicity and popularity soon caused many practitioners and health professionals to begin applying the formula to individual patients despite Keys’ explicit opposition. Today, the government office known as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses the BMI for monitoring the weight of Americans in the struggle against a national epidemic of obesity. The CDC’s website is full of supplementary information on the BMI, which includes a very simple calculator for both adults and children at http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/. It should be noted that the BMI does not determine one’s body fat content, but is a general referencing scale for healthy proportions of weight to height.

Why it Matters

While the BMI may not be as accurate as other medical testing to determine body fat content, it is an excellent reference point for determining a healthy weight approximation for one’s height. Referencing the BMI is widely promoted because it objectively offers individuals a simple range of indication without the influences of media. Too often, young minds are inclined to believe that magic numbers like 100 pounds are ideal weights, but the BMI helps clarify that this weight is actually only healthy for adults under the height of 5 foot 3 inches. The BMI personalizes weight for everybody through objective mathematics and removes personal opinions of popular body image. Following the recommendations of the BMI chart for adults is very easy, but children are measured in accordance with a graph that is specifically generated based on the norms of their community. This is why the CDC offers adult and child BMI calculators that will yield slightly different height and weight ratios for different communities.

How it’s Measured

Calculating one’s BMI can be done using one of three methods for adults. First, a BMI reference chart featuring a graph of heights to weight axis with BMI zones outlined is an excellent quick reference. Another way for adults to check their BMI is to perform the following calculation: divide total weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) squared, and then multiply that total by a conversion factor of 703. A last option, and the one most recommended for use when determining the BMI of children, is to use an online calculator. The National Heart and Lung Institute, the CDC and even many independent websites such as http://www.bmi-calculator.net/ provide a simple interface for quick calculation. The information is readily available and highly promoted because BMI is a way of determining obesity or malnutrition. The results of a BMI check can also establish patterns that may give early warning signs of heart disease.

Conclusions

Some may be shocked to learn that the BMI is not an exact science designed for individual diagnosis, but that does not mean that it is not a helpful guide for determining one’s personal healthy parameters. The results are an objective way to monitor and track changes of weight in constant relation to one’s height. A licensed physician can then perform more specific medical tests to determine the exact fat content of one’s body if the BMI gives an indication that further appraisal is necessary.

Window Coverings

One solution to help reduce energy costs is to take a look at your current window coverings. Blinds, curtains, awnings and other window coverings may help you keep the cost of heating your home down. While it is true that your window coverings will not reduce your costs dramatically by themselves, they may have an impact on your heating bills.

Insulating window panels

For those who are considering insulating panels, they may help you reduce the amount of heat that is lost through your windows. Generally, these panels are designed using foam insulation, they are easy to install and remove and require no hardware.

Storm window panels

You might be surprised to learn that installing a storm window can reduce heat loss by as much as 50%. While exterior storm windows may have to be custom made, there are kits available at most building supply shops that offer a low cost alternative that may be easily installed from inside the home. Some are crafted from plexiglass and others may be made from shrink wrap. These affordable kits can save you significant money on your winter heating bills.

Drapery savings

You might be surprised to learn that you can save as much as 10 percent on your energy bills by using draperies properly. While this will vary with the placement of windows as well as the fabric of the draperies, there are some simple things that you can do to help make your home more energy efficient by using the right drapes.

Sealing leaks and cracks

The best window coverings are not a substitute for stopping cold air from getting into your home. Weatherization techniques that seal leaks and cracks in doors and windows will be your best line of defense. Caulking and weather stripping can help seal the areas in doors and windows that cause air to flow in and out of your home. Using the right materials will help ensure that your home stays warmer while reducing your overall heating costs. Understanding which materials work best on leaks and cracks will help you determine the best products for your needs.

Caulking

If your windows or doors have cracks or air spots that are less than one quarter of an inch, then caulking can be the right solution. Available in variety of colors including white, beige or clear, caulking is easy to apply and is easy to remove as well. Caulking is made of a number of different materials, someone at your home repair store should be able to assist you in finding the right product for your needs. Some caulking products require a caulk gun while others come in self-applying containers.

Weatherstripping

Available in a variety of materials as well as colors, weatherstripping is perfect for the bottom of your doors as well as for window frames. When purchasing weatherstripping, make sure that you allow additional material for waste. When used on doors, it is important to check weatherstripping, especially if the door is used frequently as it can deteriorate over time and should be replaced as needed.

These are just a few of the steps that you can start working on today to save energy over the upcoming winter. Making sure that your windows are properly sealed, using the right materials to cover your windows and keeping your heating system clean can all help you reduce your home energy costs this winter.

Most governments of developed countries have various schemes which are meant for the under-privileged so that they can get financial assistance of some kind to tide over problematic times.  There are student grants, home-remodelling grants, and social service and community grants and many other sources of funds. All of this is part of the social security network provided by governments, and are a boon for those that are able to avail of the grants.

The process of getting these grants is simple, but painstaking. In the US, Grants.gov will give you an excellent listing of the grants which are available and of the eligibility criteria. Since it is an official site, all the forms and FAQ.s are clearly marked out, and the path has been clearly defined.

In Australia, the Government Grants Link Directory is the official source of all the information. It is also a genuine official source and the correct place to go for all the information. In the UK the Small Business site is a similar place to go to look for authenticated information.

Thus it is clear that there are many genuine sites which can guide you in the right direction, but you need to look for them carefully and sift the good from the bad. There are a few guidelines which can be kept in mind when you are looking for the correct person or place where you can apply for a grant.

Most government sites will end in .gov,  gov.uk, gov.au or some such terms in their URL. These are all reserved for the official sites and cannot be misused by other private parties.

No genuine site will ask you for money to register. This is the first step of their con . they ask for registration money before they give you any further information. That request in itself should start ringing alarm bells in your mind.

The government will never make cold calls to you to offer you grants. They have enough people applying for them, they do not need to go out and look for customers.  Forget all about websites which offer you access to free money. They only provide you information that is anyway available for free online. They are only out to make money for themselves; they have no desire to make life simpler for you.

Do remember that grants are given only for a specific purpose and for a certain amount.  Unlike Medicaid and Social Security benefits, they are not given out as assistance to the needy. The grants are meant for a specific purpose, and for that alone.

In the US there are many sites which will provide genuine and correct information. Some of them are listed below:

National Endowment for Arts:

Here you can have a look at the grants and funds available for arts and cultural societies.

Pell Grants:

These are grants which are meant for students and are funded by the US Department of Education.  They are the most widely used grants by students and are an excellent resource for higher education. In 2010-11 the maximum grant available has gone up to $ 5,500, an increase from $ 4,050 in the year 2006-7. Any negative change in your family.s financial status also allows you to apply for a larger grant.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance:

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance contains details of 2,183 Federal Assistance Programs from various departments of the Federal Government.

LIHEAP:

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programs are designed to help the low-income groups with their energy problems in their homes. A large ratio of their incomes goes into paying their energy bills, and these grants help to relieve some of that burden.

Grants.Gov:

By far the best resource for government grants, their blurb itself states Grants.gov is your source to FIND and APPLY for federal grants. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is proud to be the managing partner for Grants.gov, an initiative that is having an unparalleled impact on the grant community.. There is no better place than this to get all the correct information and a step bystep guide towards all getting a grant for yourself or your organization.

We cannot emphasise it enough . do not get misled by the sites which offer you Free Money or unclaimed money lying with the government.. This is a misnomer of the first order. They are looking for gullible people who can be misled by fancy words and fancy websites. They play upon the human psyche which is always looking for the easy way out.

There is money available, but first make all your inquiries. Are you eligible for those grants? Is your business entitled to receive some help from the Federal Government? Then go and meet the people concerned or go through the website carefully. Get all your papers in order and then apply with a great deal of care. Make sure that you provide the correct and true information, so that later you are not penalized.

All this can be done without taking the help of unscrupulous websites and fast-talking salesmen.  Make the effort yourself, individually and you will be happier and safer, and will not lose money while going through the process.