Your BMI, or Body Mass Index, indicates your weight relative to your height. Your BMI can serve as a predictor of your risk for heart and metabolic diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, adults with BMI values below 18.5 fall into the underweight category, adults with BMI values between 18.5 and 24.9 have normal weight, adults with BMI values between 25.0 and 29.9 are overweight and adults with BMI values over 30 are obese. You can calculate your BMI with a simple formula.
Step 1
Measure your full height without any shoes on. Convert your height in feet to your height in inches. For example, if you measure 6 feet tall, your height in inches equals 72.
Step 2
Weigh yourself on a scale. Record your weight.
Step 3
Divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches, squared. For example, if you measure 6 feet tall and you weigh 150 pounds, divide 150 by 72 squared, or 5,184. You should get .0289.
Step 4
Multiply the number you got in step 3 by a conversion factor of 703. According to the examples used in the previous steps, you should multiply .0289 by 703 to get 20.3. This BMI represents a normal weight.
Tips and Warnings
- To determine your BMI using metric measurements, simply divide your weight in kilograms by your height in meters, squared. Discuss your weight and BMI value with your doctor to determine your risk for obesity-related diseases. According to the Mayo Clinic, BMI can underestimate body fat in women. BMI might also overestimate body fat in athletes. Consider other factors, such as the circumference of your waist or your body fat percentage, when determining your health risks.
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Scale
- Calculator
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