Your BMI--or body mass index--is an indicator of how much fat you carry on your frame. It is based on your weight and height. BMI is not a direct measurement of body fat, but it is commonly used as an indicator because it is reliable and is easy to calculate, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your BMI can be used to assess whether you are at risk for serious, weight-related health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
Calculate Your BMI
To calculate your BMI, you will need to know your height and weight. When you have these figures, divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared. (Example: A 150-lb woman who is 5 feet, 7 inches tall would divide 150 by 4489.) Take the resulting figure (0.033) and multiply it by 703. (Example: 0.033 x 703 = 23.5) The resulting figure is your BMI, in this case 23.5. You can also go online and have your BMI calculated automatically by providing your height and weight at several websites, including the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's site.
What Your BMI Means
Once you know your BMI, you can use it to determine whether you are at a healthy body weight. Women who have a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 are considered to be at a healthy body weight, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. BMIs less than 18.5 are considered underweight, while BMIs between 25 and 29.9 are overweight. If your BMI is 30 or greater, you are obese.
Health Risks
If your BMI means you are overweight or obese, it increases your risk of disease and death, according to the CDC. When you are above your ideal body weight and a healthy BMI, you are more likely to develop serious and potentially life-threatening health conditions such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, stroke, osteoarthritis, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea and certain types of cancer.
Other Risk Factors
In addition to BMI, your waist circumference and body shape can also indicate a potential risk for weight-related medical conditions. When you carry a lot of your weight around your waist, you are at increased risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Women with a waist circumference greater than 35 inches are said to be at increased risk for these conditions. Furthermore, your body shape could indicate health risks as well. Women with an apple-shaped body--when most of the extra body weight is around the waist--are more likely to develop coronary artery disease or have metabolic syndrome.
When To Take Action
If your BMI falls outside the healthy range, you should take action to reach a healthy weight, the CDC advises. If you are underweight, visit your doctor to talk about a diet that can help you increase your weight in a healthy way. Also, consider adopting an exercise regimen designed to increase your muscle mass. If you are overweight or obese, it is important to take steps to lose weight to decrease your risk for serious health problems. The keys to losing weight are eating fewer calories and doing more physical exercise. Your doctor can advise you on a safe way to start a weight-loss plan and can assess your risk for health problems. Remember that even a small amount of weight loss can lower your risk for serious health conditions.
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