Body Mass Index For Females

The BMI or body mass index is a calculation that scores your body fat based on your height and weight. Many people use this tool to understand if they are at a healthy weight. However, the BMI scale does have its limitations, especially for females.

BMI Standards

The body mass index scale does not differentiate between the body's of males and females. Therefore, the standards set for females are the same as males. A female is considered underweight when her BMI is under 18.5. A normal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. Overweight is between 25 and 29.9 and obese is greater than 30.

Why Being A Woman Matters

In general, body fat in women is higher than in men. This is one big limitation in using the BMI scale to asses your weight. Women, by nature, have a higher amount of essential fat. This essential fat makes it possible for reproduction, birth and lactation. In fact, even other standards of body composition assessment takes into consideration this extra fat.

Other Standards

Instead of using the BMI scale to asses your health, try using another means, such as calculating your body fat percentage or measuring your waist circumference. Since BMI is an estimation of body fat, why not skip the estimating and take a real look at your total body fat. This can be done by calculating your body fat percentage, easily, at home using a specialized scale. For a woman, the normal body fat percentage ranges from 25 to 31 percent. Measuring your waist circumference can also be helpful, because your health is not only attributed to how much fat you carry, but also where you carry it. Your wait should measure less than 35 inches.

Changing Your Body Composition

If you are using the BMI to assess your weight it can be a good motivator. Improving your body composition requires some determination and lifestyle changes. Alter your diet to include only as many calories as your body needs. You may also consider limiting your intake of fat. Exercise can help by burning calories and also adding to your lean body mass, both which are effective at improving your BMI.