Your body mass index is a calculation that is commonly used to determine if you are the correct weight for your height. Knowing your BMI is important to determine if you are underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese or morbidly obese. Being underweight increases your risk for fragile bones, a weakened immune system and infertility. Weighing too much can increase your risk for heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea or certain cancers. Assess your BMI to determine your risk.
Step 1
Remove all clothing before taking your measurements. Remove shoes, socks, shirts, pants and undergarments. Removing all of your clothing will give you the most accurate measurement. Once your clothing is removed, write down the time of day you are taking your measurements. You will need to perform your next assessment at the same time of day.
Step 2
Determine your height with the tape measure. Take your height three times to make sure it is accurate. Write down your height to the nearest inch.
Step 3
Urinate before stepping on the scale to remove additional water weight that may be sitting in your bladder. Make sure you urinate before every BMI assessment to maintain accuracy.
Step 4
Make sure the scale reads zero. Step on the scale. Record your weight in pounds.
Step 5
Multiply your weight in pounds by 703. Divide this number by your height in inches. Again, divide this number by your height in inches to determine your BMI.
Step 6
Determine if your BMI is within normal ranges. A healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 25. If your BMI is lower than 18.5, you are underweight. If your BMI is between 25 and 30 your are overweight. If your BMI is greater than 30 you are obese, or morbidly obese if your BMI is greater than 40.
Tips and Warnings
- Work with your doctor to devise a weight-loss plan if you are overweight or obese. Your BMI may be in the overweight category if you have a lot of muscle mass because muscle weighs more than fat.
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Scale
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