Your BMI, or body mass index, is a figure based on your height and weight to determine your body fat composition. It is used to assess your risk of obesity related health conditions. The higher your BMI, the greater your risk of developing conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and respiratory conditions, states the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many people use a chart that shows the BMI figure; however, it is possible to determine your BMI without using this chart.
Step 1
Weigh yourself and measure your height. Your weight should be in pounds and your height in inches. Jot these numbers down so you can use them to figure out your BMI.
Step 2
Multiply your weight by 703. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, you multiply 200 by 703 for a result of 140,600.
Step 3
Divide the result from Step 2 by your height. If you are 72 inches tall, which is 6 feet tall, divide 140,600 by 72 for a result of 1952.777.
Step 4
Divide the figure from Step 3 by your height. Using the example of 200 pounds and 72 inches, you would divide 1,952.777 by 72 for a result of 27.12, which is your BMI.
Step 5
Figure out your risk category. A BMI less than 18.5 is considered underweight. Normal is considered a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9. If your BMI is 25.0 to 29.9, you are considered overweight. A BMI of 30.0 to 39.9 is considered obese, and a BMI any higher is considered morbidly obese, states Medline Plus.
Step 6
Alter your eating and exercise habits to lose weight if your BMI is higher than normal or to gain weight if it is lower than normal. If you are overweight or obese, losing as little as five percent of your total body weight can reduce the risk of obesity related conditions.
Tips and Warnings
- The use of the BMI isn’t appropriate for everyone. The elderly, children and body builders need to use alternate methods of determining the body fat composition, such as the waist to hip ratio or waist circumference.
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