Body Mass Index
BMI can be determined by dividing your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared and then multiplying by 705.For example, a woman who is 5'6" and weighs 190 would have a BMI of 31.
- Height of 5'6" = 66 inches
66 squared = 4,356
190 divided by 4,356 = 0.0436
0.0436 x 705 = 30.75 (which would be rounded up to a BMI of 31)
What Does Your BMI Mean?
The following applies for adults 20 years of age and older:
- An individual is considered underweight if their BMI is less than 18.5.
- A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered a "normal" weight.
- A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight.
- Individuals who fall into the BMI range of 25 to 34.9 begin having some health risk concerns.
- A BMI of 30 or more qualifies an individual as obese.
- A BMI over 40 indicates that a person is morbidly obese.
- Specifically, those who have a high BMI and a waist size of more than 40 inches for men, or 35 inches for women, have a higher risk for obesity-related health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Sources
American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM Fit Society Page. Body Fat Composition: How to Measure It and What Does it Mean, Winter 2006-2007.
Centers for Disease Control, CDC.gov. Body Mass Index: About BMI for Adults.
Gallagher, Dymna and Steve Heymsfield, et al. "Healthy percentage body fat ranges: an approach for developing guidelines based on body mass index 72 (3): 694". 24 Jan 2000. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 16 Oct 2006.
Kanai, H. and Y Matsuzawa, et al. "Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association". Close Correlation of Intra-abdominal. 15 June 1990. American Heart Association.
"Percent Body Fat -- 2." Percent Body Fat -- Skinfold Measures. Shape Up America.
Yusuf, MD Salim, et al. "Obesity measure should be redefined to accurately assess heart attack risk". Nov 2005. McMaster University.
