Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. According to the National Institutes of Health, the higher your BMI, the greater your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, gallstones and some cancers. A BMI of less than 18.5 is considered underweight; a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered to be normal; and a BMI from 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. A BMI of more than 30 is considered obese. However, this measurement does have limitations--it does not take into account your build or muscle weight.
Step 1
Weigh and measure yourself. Height and weight are the only measurements you need to determine your BMI. Divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches and round to two decimal places. For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, stand 70 inches tall (5 ft. 10 in.), you divide 180 by 70 and come up with 2.57.
Step 2
Divide the answer you received in step 1 by your height in inches. So continuing the example above, you would divide 2.57 by 70, resulting in 0.037.
Step 3
Multiply the result by 703. So, 0.037 x 703 = 26. The person in this example would be considered overweight by BMI guidelines.
Step 4
Go metric. If you prefer, you can calculate your BMI using the metric system. Divide your weight in kilograms by your height in meters, then multiply that number by your height in meters.
Step 5
Discuss your BMI number with your physician. Only your doctor can give you an accurate picture of your health. He can also tell you if you need to gain or lose weight, and suggest a diet to help you reach your goals.
Things You'll Need
- Scale
- Calculator
Member Comments