Body mass index, or BMI, is used to quickly determine whether a person is of healthy weight. Though it can be problematic for certain groups, like bodybuilders and athletes, it has proven to be quite effective when looking at large populations. BMI is calculated using height and weight measurements, and applies to both men and women between the ages of 18 and 65. A score below 18.5 indicates underweight; a score between 18.5 and 24.9 indicates normal weight; scores between 25 and 29.9 indicate overweight; scores between 30 and 34.99 are considered obese class 1; scores between 35 and 39.9 are considered obese class 2; and finally, a score over 35 is considered morbidly obese.
Step 1
Convert your weight from pounds to kilograms using the simple formula of weight in pounds divided by 2.2. For example, a 165-pound person would have a mass of 75 kilograms, or 165 / 2.2 = 75.
Step 2
Convert your height in inches to height in centimeters. There are exactly 2.54 centimeters in 1 inch. So, a person who is 5-foot-9 or 69 inches tall, would be 175.26 centimeters tall, or 69 x 2.54 = 165.26. Now, convert centimeters into meters by simply moving the decimal place over two places to the left. (There are 100 centimeters in 1 meter). Making this person about 1.75 meters tall.
Step 3
Divide weight in kilograms (75 kilograms in this example), by height in meters squared (1.75 squared is 3.06) to find the BMI. So, 75 / 3.06 = 24.51. This fictitious person would have a BMI 24.51, in the "normal" category, as the score falls between 18.5 and 24.9.
Things You'll Need
- Calculator
- Pen/pencil
- Paper
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