The Body Mass Index, or BMI, estimates your body fat based on your height and weight. The index acts as a reference for you to compare your body weight to the broader population. Although it's an approximation, health authorities claim the BMI reasonably determines your fat level. While other methods exist, calculating your BMI is relatively easy and cost-effective. BMI is just one factor among many your health care provider may use to determine your overall health.
Purpose
The Centers for Disease Control considers the BMI an effective way to determine obesity. Other methodologies, such as using calipers, underwater weighing and radiology, can also determine obesity. In contrast to these techniques, the BMI is considerably simpler, cheaper and more practical.
Calculation
To determine your BMI, use the following formula. Divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared. Then multiply that number by 703. If your BMI is lower than 18.5, you're considered underweight. If your BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, you're within normal range. If your BMI is between 25 and 29.9, you're overweight, and if it's higher than that, you're obese.
Interpretation
While the BMI provides a benchmark for health, your physician can best determine what your BMI score means. In general, people with a high BMI have a greater risk for developing heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and other ailments. Not everyone with a high BMI, however, is unhealthy, and the measurement itself is imperfect, notes the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Considerations
Muscle weighs more than fat, so the BMI can overestimate your fat levels if you're athletic and have a lot of muscle. On the other hand, it can underestimate your body fat if you're older, as many people lose muscle mass as they age. The BMI calculation differs for children, and takes their age and gender into account. While the adult BMI calculation is gender-neutral, a female with a BMI identical to a man's will likely have more body fat.
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