BMI stands for Body Mass Index, a measurement of your weight in relation to your height. Health care professionals often use BMI values to evaluate whether or not you may have an unhealthy weight and body fat level. The BMI system can underestimate or overestimate body fatness in some individuals, particularly highly-trained athletes, women and elderly adults. Despite these limitations, the BMI system has several benefits. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend this method to the general public as a quick and inexpensive way to assess weight and body fatness.
Ease
You can calculate your BMI at home with only a few supplies. You'll need a bathroom scale to weigh yourself and a tape measure to measure your height. You can then calculate your BMI by dividing your weight in pounds by your height in inches, squared, and then multiplying the resulting number by 703. Take weight and height measurements in the morning for the most accuracy.
Affordability
Many methods of measuring body fatness, such as dual x-ray absorptiometry or underwater weighing, require specialized equipment. Your local hospital may not even offer these expensive processes, meaning you might have to travel to reach a hospital that does offer them. Calculating your BMI, on the other hand, requires no expense.
Awareness
When you calculate your BMI, you can begin to develop a clearer awareness of your own weight. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide several clear classifications for BMI values. BMI values under 18.5 fall in the underweight range, BMI values between 18.5 and 24.9 fall in the healthy weight range, BMI values between 25.0 and 29.9 fall in the overweight range and BMI values over 30.0 fall in the obese range. Calculating your BMI can help you determine whether you may be underweight or overweight. You can then continue to discuss and evaluate your weight with your health care professionals.
Tracking
Calculating and recalculating your BMI over time can help you track your weight. If you are trying to gain or lose weight, keeping a record of your height, weight and BMI measurements can help you see the progress you are making in the right direction.
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