Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a number based on your height and weight. BMI determines whether your weight is appropriate according to your height. BMI can determine whether you are considered to be underweight, overweight, obese or within normal range. Your BMI can help you evaluate any lifestyle changes that may be needed in order to lose weight, gain muscle or gain fat. Although BMI is useful for determining overall health, it is not the only factor in determining obesity, and should only be used by adults.
Calculation
BMI is calculated based on your height in inches and your weight in pounds. There are many online calculators to help you determine your BMI, such as those provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). However, you can use a simple formula on your own. Multiply your weight in pounds by 703. Then multiply your height by your height. Divide the first number and the second to get your BMI.
Results
According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), persons with a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 are considered to be within a normal weight range. A BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight, and a BMI of between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight. Individuals who are obese have a BMI of 30 or more.
Considerations
A high BMI may not necessarily mean that you're obese. Medical News Today explains that this is because a BMI test does not measure a person's body fat. Therefore, a physically fit individual with pounds of muscle may have a high BMI, but is not obese. On the flip side, a skinny person without muscle may have a low BMI and still have a high percentage of body fat.
Warning
Children under the age of 18 should not use a standard BMI test. This is due to the fact that children, particularly teens, grow at different rates. The fact that a child is overweight on an adult BMI chart may reflect that he has not finished growing in length yet. A body fat percentage test may be more appropriate for children. The CDC also offers a special BMI test for children. See a pediatrician if you are concerned about your child's BMI.
Prevention/Solution
For the average adult, the best way to keep your BMI in check is to adopt healthy habits. According to Medical News Today, the primary causes of obesity associated with a high BMI are a lack of exercise, poor diet, a lack of sleep, medications that cause water weight gain, and endocrine disorders. On the flip side, a relatively low BMI may be attributed to eating too few calories, low muscle mass and taking medications which make you lose weight.
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