The body mass index, or BMI, is a universal tool to determine your body composition as it relates to height, weight and body fat. The BMI is not an exact measure of your body-fat percentage, but it does give you and health-care providers a baseline measurement of overall health or risk for weight-related medical conditions. Obesity is a major risk factor for developing heart disease. Determine your body mass index and reduce your risk of serious health complications by staying at a healthy weight through eating a nutritious, balanced diet and daily exercise.
Step 1
Compute BMI with the written mathematical formula. The BMI calculation is fairly simple to do long-hand. Divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared then multiply 703. Use the metric system similarly with weight in kilograms divided by height in centimeters.
Step 2
Type your measurements into an online BMI calculator. The CDC and National, Heart Lung and Blood Institute provide a simple online BMI calculator for you to use to determine your body composition. You do not need to do any math, just type the information requested and click enter or submit as directed on the website.
Step 3
Read the interpretation of BMI based on your calculation results. A result range of 18.5 to 24.9 is normal and you are at a healthy weight. A score of 25.0 to 29.9 is overweight, and 30.0 or above is obese. A score below 18.5 is deemed underweight.
Step 4
Talk to your physician about health risk based on your BMI. If your BMI results indicate anything besides normal weight, you may need medical intervention to help you get to a healthy weight range. Excess weight increases your risk of severe medical diseases, and an underweight score indicates possible malnourishment and nutrient deficiency.
Tips and Warnings
- BMI calculation is simple but does not distinguish the difference of body composition in those that are highly athletic with increased muscularity. Muscle weighs more than fat and can give a skewed result for athletes. BMI criteria for children and teens is different than that of adults because youth body fat changes with age and varies between genders.
- Consequences of excess weight and obesity include high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and cholesterol level increase.
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