Body mass index provides a tool for determining if your weight is in a healthy range and is a reliable measure of body fat for most people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is calculated with your height and weight. However, your actual health status and risks should be evaluated by a health professional.
Step 1
Measure your height. If you don't know your height, stand in bare or stocking feet with your heels and back flat against a wall. Have another person set a book on your head, as evenly as possible. The bottom of the book should touch the wall at the level of the top of your head. Have your helper mark the wall lightly at that level. Step away from the wall and, using a tape measure, measure your height in inches. Record your height.
Step 2
Weigh yourself, using your bathroom scale, and write down your weight.
Step 3
Calculate your BMI. You can use a calculator. Divide your weight by your height in inches, squared. Multiply the result by 703 to find your BMI.
Step 4
Use your BMI calculation to determine your level of body fat. If your BMI is under 18.5, you are considered underweight. BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered normal, 25 to 29.9 is overweight and 30 and over is considered obese.
Tips and Warnings
- To ensure accuracy of height measurement, have your helper stand at eye level with you if possible when marking your height. Before making decisions based on BMI, visit a health professional for more information about your health and risk status. For an online BMI calculator and BMI table, visit the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute online, located in the Resources section.
- If you are very active and have a higher weight due to muscle mass, your level of fat may not be commensurate with your BMI number.
Things You'll Need
- Hardback book
- Tape measure
- Bathroom scale
Member Comments