Your body mass index, or BMI, is a measure of your weight to height ratio to evaluate overall health level in adults. As you BMI increases, so does your chance of developing conditions like heart disease, hypertension, osteoarthritis, diabetes, sleep apnea as well as certain forms of cancer. While other factors like diet, family history, physical activity level and blood pressure also serve as health indicators, a normal, healthy BMI should fall between 19 and 25, recommends Harvard University Health Services. The less active your lifestyle, the closer your BMI should be to the lower end.
Step 1
Weigh yourself on a scale, and take note of the number. Multiply your weight in pounds by 0.45 to convert the measurement to kilograms.
Step 2
Have a friend or family member measure and record your height in inches while you stand flat on your feet against a wall. Multiply your height in inches by a conversion factor of 0.025 to convert inches to centimeters.
Step 3
Square your height in centimeters by multiplying it by itself. Divide your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in centimeters.
Step 4
Find the range of your BMI on a BMI chart to determine your weight category. If your BMI falls below 18.5, you are considered underweight. If your BMI is between 18.6 and 24.9, you fall within the normal weight category. BMIs between 25.0 and 29.9 signify that you are overweight, and BMIs over 30.0 are classified as obese.
Tips and Warnings
- Physical activity paired with a healthy diet can help you maintain a healthy body weight. Talk with your doctor about your risk for developing weight-related diseases.
- Adults over the age of 18 should not attempt to gain more than 11 pounds, even if your BMI falls in the underweight range.
Things You'll Need
- Scale
- Tape measure
- Calculator
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