BMI Calculation
Body Mass Index
This page discusses the BMI calculation and what it is used for. If you
are looking for the online BMI Calculator, then click
here.
The BMI calculation is used as a screening tool to help medical
personal gage if there is a health risk due to your weight.
This
is not the only tool used as some people will fall into a higher risk
category that are not potentially at risk
Based on their body size, fat percent and family history, a person may
fall into the overweight category but are in fact at a healthy weight
for them.
For
example, a person with very little body fat and a larger percent of
lean muscles may weigh than what is in the guidelines for their gender
and height.
The Body Mass Index calculation will only show potential excess body
fat
and
weight problems.
Additional tests and evaluations would also
have to be performed to be certain. Your doctor
may run
additional tests such as a skin fold test to help measure the
percentage
of body fat.
An evaluation of your diet, family history and activity level will also
help measure your risk
of
weight related diseases.
Body Mass Index Definition
In
order to understand the results of the BMI calculation you need to
understand BMI. The definition of Body Mass Index is a number from the
results of
a
calculation
using a person’s weight and height.
The results of the BMI formula
are
used as a tool to screen a person for potential weight problems due to
body fat.
Excess weight and body fat could
put a person at risk for certain diseases such as high blood pressure,
high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes just to name a few.
The BMI calculator results will fall into one of four weight
status categories; underweight, normal, overweight and obese.
This status is used as an indicator of body fat.
Although
the Body Mass Index calculator does not measure the percentage of body
fat,
research has shown that the BMI results have a direct correlation to
body fat percent.
The BMI
calculator results will only show potential excess body fat
and
weight problems.
Additional tests and evaluations would also
have to be performed to be certain.
Based on the results of your doctor
may run
additional tests such as a skin fold test to help measure the
percentage
of body fat.
Additionally, your doctor may evaluate your
diet, family history and activity levels as well to measure your risk
of
weight related diseases.
Knowing the BMI Formula
BMI is calculated the same for adults and children.
The
results for adults however are not gender specific whereas the results
for children and teens is age and gender specific.
Note
For more on children and teens body mass index, visit
cdc.gov
for their
BMI calculator.
For
children and teens, the calculation is the same as below, but the
results are interpreted using the age and gender percentiles.
BMI
Calculation
Pounds and inches
weight
(lb) / [height (in)]² x 703
Example: Weight = 175 lbs
Height = 5' 6" (66 inches)
Calculation = 175 / (66)² x 703 = 28.24
Kilograms &
Meters
Weight
(kg) / height (m)²
Note: Since height is generally measured in centimeters,
divide height in cm by 100 to get the measurement in meters
Example weight = 80 kg
height = 168 cm (1.68 m)
Calculation = 80 / (1.68)² = 28.34
The results will fall into one of 4 categories. These are;
Class
|
BMI
|
Health Risk
|
Underweight |
< 18.5 |
Moderate |
Normal |
18.5 - 24.9 |
Minimal |
Overweight |
25 - 30 |
Moderate |
Obese |
> 30 |
High |
Within each class, there is a further break down by category.
Below is an outline of the categories within the classes.
Class
|
Category
|
BMI
|
Health Risk
|
Underweight |
Severe
Underweight |
<
16 |
Moderate |
|
Moderate
Underweight |
16
- 16.99 |
Moderate |
|
Underweight |
17
- 18.49 |
Moderate |
Normal |
Normal |
18.5 - 24.9 |
Minimal |
Overweight |
Overweight |
25
- 26 |
Low |
|
Moderately
Overweight |
27
- 29 |
Moderate |
Obese |
Obese |
30
- 34 |
High |
|
Severe
Obese |
35
- 39 |
Very
High |
|
Morbid
Obese |
40
+ |
Extremely
High |
Based on the results, your doctor may suggest some changes in diet and
exercise.
What Steps Should You Take
If you
find
yourself within the normal range of the BMI results but still feel you
want to lose or tone, then focus first on exercising and eating
healthier. Don't try to cut calories to lose weight but
instead
focus on losing inches and toning muscles.
However if your
results are in the overweight or obese category then first check with
your doctor to see if additional tests should be run.
Also
you
will want to
create a weight loss plan to lose weight and body fat. Your
plan
should include
eating
healthy and
exercising.
Be sure to read these
quick weight loss tips and
exercise
motivation
tips to get you started on your weight loss program.
In addition to understanding the
BMI calculation, read this article for the BMR
calculation.
Additional Articles
Fat
Burning Foods
Help lower your body fat and BMI by adding these foods to your diet. These foods have vitamins and minerals that have been shown to help
burn fat.
Healthy
Recipes
Search on this site for a new and healthy recipe to add to your diet
plan. You can find breakfast recipes, entrees, appetizers and more.
Weight
Loss Motivation
If you are needing some help getting motivated to lose weight, then
check out this article.