You can determine how much your body mass is by calculating your body mass index, which is an indicator of body fatness. Your body mass index is a measure of a ratio of your weight to height squared. This index will help you determine your risk for certain chronic diseases. Having a BMI that falls into the overweight or obese categories increases your risk of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. Overweight and obesity also increase your risk for osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, reproductive problems and gallstones. As of 2009, two-thirds of Americans were overweight or obese.
Step 1
Weigh yourself. It is best to get a current and accurate measure of your weight to determine your BMI. If your scale readings are off, purchase a new scale for more accurate results. Make a mental note of your height. If you are unsure of your height or don't know what your exact height measurement is, stand with your back against a wall. Place a ruler above the highest point of your head. Let a friend or family member place a pencil mark or a piece of tape at the point where the ruler touches the wall. Use a tape measure to measure vertically from the bottom of the floor to the pencil mark or piece of tape for your height measurement.
Step 2
Calculate your BMI. Use the following formula: weight in pounds, divided by height in inches squared, multiplied by 703. For example, if your weight is 185 pounds and your height is 5 feet 6 inches, or 66 inches, your BMI would be 185 pounds divided by 66 inches squared, multiplied by 703, or 185 pounds divided by 4,356 inches multiplied by 703. This height and weight gives you a BMI of 29.9.
Step 3
Determine what BMI category you fall into so you can assess your risk for disease and make lifestyle changes to decrease your disease risk. A person with a BMI less than 18.5 is underweight. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is a normal weight. BMIs in the range of 25 to 29.9 are categorized as overweight and 30 or greater, obese. The calculated BMI of 29.9 falls into the overweight range, increasing that person's risk for several chronic diseases. If your BMI falls into the overweight or obese range, you can decrease your risk of certain diseases by adopting a healthy diet and getting regular exercise.
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