"Body Mass Index" (BMI) is a rough guide of body fat prediction based on height and weight, to determine whether someone is of average weight, overweight or obese. Body mass index (BMI) can be used to determine how much risk you have of developing health problems because of your weight. Note that the higher the BMI value, the greater the risk to develop health problems'
BMI can be calculated by dividing your weight in kilogram by the square of your height in meters.
BMI = Weight in kilogram
(height in m)2
Although BMI is a good indicator for determining overweight or obesity in most people, however, it does not take body composition (frame size or body fat and lean muscle mass ratios) into account. Hence, a person in good shape with low body fat and high lean muscle mass may be overweight on BMI values, while another person with high body fat percentage and normal weight may be in the healthy range on the basis of BMI values.
From the following table you can calculate your BMI value. The table also gives BMI ranges and their significances. BMI values can signify underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.
BMI Value Ranges |
BMI Range | |
Women |
Men |
Your Weight & Health Risk |
BMI Less than 19.0 |
BMI Less than 20.5 |
Underweight. |
19.1 to 25.8 |
20.8 to 26.5 |
Normal weight, very low risk |
25.8 to 27.5 |
26.5 to 27.8 |
Slightly overweight, some risk |
27.5 to 32.2 |
27.8 to 31.0 |
Overweight. moderate risk |
32.5 to 44.8 |
31.0 to 45.5 |
Severe overweight, high risk |
Greater than 44.8 |
Greater than 45.4 |
Obesity, very high risk |
People with an increased BMI are at increased risk of stroke, heart disease, type-2 diabetes and several types of cancers. You should start losing weight if your BMI is 30 or greater, or your BMI is 25 and you have two or more weight related health problems, or your waist circumference is more than 40 inches (for men) and 35 inches (for women), and you have two or more weight related health problems.
Note that because BMI value ranges are based on adult heights so the BMI calculations are not valid for children and teens. These values are also not valid for pregnant and nursing women, and people over 65, because they need more fat reserves than usual. If your BMI number is more than 1-2 points above your "ideal" range it's certain you will benefit greatly by losing weight and eliminating excess body fat.
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