If you think that you are overweight or obese, determining your body mass index, or BMI, can give you an overall idea of your total body composition. The BMI formula uses your weight in pounds and your height in inches to determine the amount of body fat your body contains. Lower BMI numbers indicate a lower body fat composition, while a higher BMI number indicates a higher body fat percentage. The more body fat you have, the more likely you are to be overweight or obese.
Step 1
Weigh yourself, preferably first thing in the morning and without any clothes on. This will give you the most accurate weight possible. If you are uncomfortable wearing no clothes, put on as little as possible, such as a bikini or boxers.
Step 2
Measure yourself in inches. If you know your height in a foot-inches combination, you can find out your height in inches by multiplying how many feet you are by 12 and then adding the excess inches. So, if you are 5 feet 3 inches, multiply 5 by 12 for a result of 60, then add the 3 inches to the 60 for a total result of 63 inches.
Step 3
Multiply your weight by 703. If you weigh 180 lbs., your calculation is 180 times 703 for a result of 126,540.
Step 4
Divide that result by your height in inches. If you are 63 inches, your calculation is 126,540 divided by 63 for a result of 2,008.571.
Step 5
Divide the previous result by your height in inches again. For example, your calculation is 2008.571 divided by 63 for a result of 31.88.
Step 6
Interpret your results. Any result over 30 is considered obese, 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy and anything under 18.5 is considered underweight, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A calculation of 40 or more is considered morbidly obese.
Tips and Warnings
- If you are overweight or obese, begin a weight-loss program after speaking to your doctor to determine what type of program you should follow.
- The BMI isn't a suitable tool to use if you are a body builder or if you are elderly, because the BMI calculation may not provide an accurate depiction of your body-mass composition. Instead, contact your doctor for other options, such as underwater weighing.
Member Comments