Many doctors use a height/weight system known as the "Body Mass Index" (BMI) as a rough guide to determine whether someone is of average weight, overweight or obese. BMI can be calculated by dividing your weight in kilogram by square of your height in meters. BMI ranges slightly differ for men and women. BMI values signify underweight, ideal weight, overweight, or obese.
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 | ||
nbsp; BMI Range | ||
nbsp; Women | nbsp; 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 |
Table of Body Mass Index
To use the table, find the appropriate height in the left-hand column labeled Height. Move across to a given weight. The number at the top of the column is the BMI at that height and weight. Pounds have been rounded off.