Body mass index

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Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on a person's height and weight. It is commonly used as a screening tool to identify whether an individual is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.

Calculation of BMI

BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared. The formula for BMI is as follows:

BMI = weight (kg) / height^2 (m^2)

Alternatively, BMI can be calculated using pounds and inches with the following formula:

BMI = (weight (lb) / height^2 (in)) x 703

Formula and Calculation

Metric system

With the system of weights and measures, the formula for BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters square. Since height is usually measured in centimeters, divide height in centimeters by one hundred to get height in meters.

Example: Weight = sixty eight kilogram, Height = a hundred sixty five cm (1.65 m) Calculation: sixty eight ÷ (1.65)2 = 24.98

Pounds and inches

Formula: weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703 Calculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) square and multiplying by a factor of 703. Example: Weight = one hundred fifty lbs, Height = 5\'5\" (65\") Calculation: [150 ÷ (65)2] x 703 = twenty four.96

Interpretation of BMI for adults

For adults twenty years previous and older, the following BMI categories are used. BMI is a useful measure of overweight and obesity. It is calculated from your height and weight. BMI is an estimate of body fat and a good gauge of your risk for diseases that can occur with more body fat. The higher your BMI, the higher your risk for certain diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems, and certain cancers.

Although BMI can be used for most men and women, it does have some limits:

It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build. It may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle.

BMI categories

  • Body mass Index of below 18.5 is considered underweight
  • Body mass index of 18.5 – 24.9 is considered normal
  • Body mass index of 25.0 – 29.9 is considered overweight
  • Body mass index of 30.0 - 34.9 is considered mild degree of obesity
  • Body mass index of 35.0 - 39.9 is considered moderate degree of moderate obesity
  • Body mass index of 30.0 - 34.9 is considered severe or morbid obesity

Is BMI understood identical means for youngsters and youths because it is for adults?

Although the BMI range is calculated identical means for youngsters and adults, the standards wont to interpret the that means of the BMI range for youngsters and youths are totally different from those used for adults. for youngsters and youths, BMI age- and sex-specific percentiles are used for 2 reasons: The amount of body fat changes with age. The amount of body fat differs between women and boys. Because of these factors, the interpretation of BMI is each age- and sex-specific for youngsters and youths.

Adult And Children Body Mass Index Calculators

Adult Body Mass Index Chart

WEIGHT 4'8" 4'9" 4'10" 4'11" 5'0" 5'1" 5'2" 5'3" 5'4" 5'5" 5'6" 5'7" 5'8" 5'9" 5'10" 5'11" 6'0" 6'1" 6'2" 6'3" 6'4" 6'5"
lbs (kg) 142cm 147.32 149.86 152.4 154.94 157.48 160.02 162.56 165.1 167.64 170.18 172.72 175.26 177.8 180.34 182.88 185.42 187.96 190.5 193.04 195.58
260 (117.9) 58 56 54 53 51 49 48 46 45 43 42 41 40 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 32 31
255 (115.7) 57 55 53 51 50 48 47 45 44 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30
250 (113.4) 56 54 52 50 49 47 46 44 43 42 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 30
245 (111.1) 55 53 51 49 48 46 45 43 42 41 40 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 31 30 29
240 (108.9) 54 52 50 48 47 45 44 43 41 40 39 38 36 35 34 33 33 32 31 30 29 28
235 (106.6) 53 51 49 47 46 44 43 42 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 29 28
230 (104.3) 52 50 48 46 45 43 42 41 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 30 29 28 27
225 (102.1) 50 49 47 45 44 43 41 40 39 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 31 30 29 28 27 27
220 (99.8) 49 48 46 44 43 42 40 39 38 37 36 34 33 32 32 31 30 29 28 27 27 26
215 (97.5) 48 47 45 43 42 41 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 28 27 26 25
210 (95.3) 47 45 44 42 41 40 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 28 27 26 26 25
205 (93.0) 46 44 43 41 40 39 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 29 28 27 26 26 25 24
200 (90.7) 45 43 42 40 39 38 37 35 34 33 32 31 30 30 29 28 27 26 26 25 24 24
195 (88.5) 44 42 41 39 38 37 36 35 33 32 31 31 30 29 28 27 26 26 25 24 24 23
190 (86.2) 43 41 40 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 26 25 24 24 23 23
185 (83.9) 41 40 39 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 27 26 25 24 24 23 23 22
180 (81.6) 40 39 38 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 27 26 25 24 24 23 22 22 21
175 (79.4) 39 38 37 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 27 26 25 24 24 23 22 22 21 21
170 (77.1) 38 37 36 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 27 26 25 24 24 23 22 22 21 21 20
165 (74.8) 37 36 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 27 26 25 24 24 23 22 22 21 21 20 20
160 (72.6) 36 35 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 27 26 25 24 24 23 22 22 21 21 20 19 19
155 (70.3) 35 34 32 31 30 29 28 27 27 26 25 24 24 23 22 22 21 20 20 19 19 18
150 (68.0) 34 32 31 30 29 28 27 27 26 25 24 23 23 22 22 21 20 20 19 19 18 18
145 (65.8) 33 31 30 29 28 27 27 26 25 24 23 23 22 21 21 20 20 19 19 18 18 17
140 (63.5) 31 30 29 28 27 26 26 25 24 23 23 22 21 21 20 20 19 18 18 17 17 17
135 (61.2) 30 29 28 27 26 26 25 24 23 22 22 21 21 20 19 19 18 18 17 17 16 16
130 (59.0) 29 28 27 26 25 25 24 23 22 22 21 20 20 19 19 18 18 17 17 16 16 15
125 (56.7) 28 27 26 25 24 24 23 22 21 21 20 20 19 18 18 17 17 16 16 16 15 15
120 (54.4) 27 26 25 24 23 23 22 21 21 20 19 19 18 18 17 17 16 16 15 15 15 14
115 (52.2) 26 25 24 23 22 22 21 20 20 19 19 18 17 17 16 16 16 15 15 14 14 14
110 (49.9) 25 24 23 22 21 21 20 19 19 18 18 17 17 16 16 15 15 15 14 14 13 13
105 (47.6) 24 23 22 21 21 20 19 19 18 17 17 16 16 16 15 15 14 14 13 13 13 12
100 (45.4) 22 22 21 20 20 19 18 18 17 17 16 16 15 15 14 14 14 13 13 12 12 12
95 (43.1) 21 21 20 19 19 18 17 17 16 16 15 15 14 14 14 13 13 13 12 12 12 11
90 (40.8) 20 19 19 18 18 17 16 16 15 15 15 14 14 13 13 13 12 12 12 11 11 11
85 (38.6) 19 18 18 17 17 16 16 15 15 14 14 13 13 13 12 12 12 11 11 11 10 10
80 (36.3) 18 17 17 16 16 15 15 14 14 13 13 13 12 12 11 11 11 11 10 10 10 9

Source: BRFSS survey data from CDC

Limitations of BMI

Although BMI is widely used as a screening tool for body fat, it has some limitations. BMI does not distinguish between fat and muscle, which can result in an inaccurate classification of body fat in athletes and individuals with a muscular build. Additionally, BMI does not take into account body composition or distribution of body fat, which can impact health outcomes. For example, visceral fat, which is located deep in the abdomen and surrounds organs, is associated with an increased risk of metabolic disorders such as Type 2 Diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Usefulness of BMI

Despite its limitations, BMI remains a useful tool for population-level screening for overweight and obesity. It can be used to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a population and to track changes over time. BMI can also be used as a starting point for discussions between healthcare providers and patients about weight-related health risks and the need for lifestyle changes.

Distribution of body weight by percentage distribution adults - 2012

State: Underweight (bmi 12.0-18.4) Normal Weight (bmi 18.5-24.9) Overweight (bmi 25.0-29.9) Obese (bmi 30.0 - 99.8)
Nationwide (States, DC, and Territories) 1.8 34.2 35.8 28.1
Nationwide (States and DC) 1.8 34.2 35.8 27.6
Alabama 1.7 30.6 34.8 33.0
Alaska 0.9 34.4 39.1 25.7
Arizona 2.3 35.7 36.0 26.0
Arkansas 1.8 29.5 34.2 34.5
California 1.9 37.8 35.3 25.0
Colorado 2.3 42.0 35.2 20.5
Connecticut 1.7 36.1 36.7 25.6
Delaware 1.5 32.5 39.1 26.9
District of Columbia 2.2 46.0 30.0 21.9
Florida 1.5 36.4 36.9 25.2
Georgia 2.0 33.3 35.5 29.1
Guam 2.9 35.6 32.4 29.1
Hawaii 2.7 41.2 32.5 23.6
Idaho 1.8 35.7 35.8 26.8
Illinois 2.2 33.8 35.8 28.1
Indiana 1.7 32.8 34.1 31.4
Iowa 1.8 33.5 34.3 30.4
Kansas 2.0 32.4 35.7 29.9
Kentucky 2.0 31.1 35.6 31.3
Louisiana 1.9 28.5 34.8 34.7
Maine 1.6 34.3 35.8 28.4
Maryland 2.0 34.2 36.2 27.6
Massachusetts 2.1 39.2 35.9 22.9
Michigan 1.6 32.8 34.6 31.1
Minnesota 1.6 35.4 37.3 25.7
Mississippi 1.8 29.3 34.3 34.6
Missouri 1.9 32.4 36.2 29.6
Montana 1.5 37.1 37.0 24.3
Nebraska 1.7 33.3 36.4 28.6
Nevada 2.7 34.8 36.3 26.2
New Hampshire 1.4 36.5 34.8 27.3
New Jersey 1.9 36.5 37.0 24.6
New Mexico 2.2 35.0 35.7 27.1
New York 2.6 36.9 37.0 23.6
North Carolina 1.8 32.4 36.3 29.6
North Dakota 1.8 32.0 36.6 29.7
Ohio 1.7 33.0 35.2 30.1
Oklahoma 1.8 30.4 35.6 32.2
Oregon 1.7 37.2 33.8 27.3
Pennsylvania 1.7 33.3 35.9 29.1
Puerto Rico 2.1 31.7 37.8 28.4
Rhode Island 1.6 35.5 37.2 25.7
South Carolina 1.5 32.4 34.5 31.6
South Dakota 1.5 32.4 37.9 28.1
Tennessee 2.0 32.7 34.2 31.1
Texas 1.8 33.2 35.9 29.2
Utah 1.8 40.4 33.5 24.3
Vermont 1.7 38.0 36.6 23.7
Virginia 2.0 34.4 36.2 27.4
Washington 1.8 36.0 35.4 26.8
West Virginia 1.7 30.0 34.5 33.8
Wisconsin 1.8 31.8 36.8 29.7
Wyoming 1.5 35.1 38.7 24.6

Note: BMI values rounded to the nearest whole number. BMI categories based on CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) criteria.

Children BMI calculator

The formulas used in children are different as their weight is based on growth charts and do not correspond to adult BMI scale numbers. Use an online childhood BMI calculators below.

Online BMI Calculators

While there are many BMI calculators, here are some BMI calculators you can use.

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