Body mass index, or BMI, is a commonly used method for assessing a person's thinness or fatness relative to the general population. BMI is used as a rough predictor of the size at which a person's risk for fat-related health issues increases. It's a popular indicator because it is easy to determine with simple arithmetic.
Step 1
Weigh yourself. Make a note of the number.
Step 2
Measure your height. Remove your shoes and stand upright. Have a partner use the tape measure to measure from your feet to the top of your head. Alternately, stand against a wall and mark your height on the wall by placing a pencil flat against the top of your head, using the lead end to mark the wall. Make a note of your height.
Step 3
Multiply your weight by 703. Make a note of this number. Next, multiply your height times itself to get your height squared. Make a note of this number as well. Finally, divide the first number by the second number.
Step 4
Check your result. It should lie somewhere between 16 and 40. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, a BMI below 18.5 is underweight. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is normal. A BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 is overweight, while any BMI above 30 is obese.
Tips and Warnings
- BMI is only one indicator of a person's fatness, and does not by itself prove a person is "fit" or "unfit." For example, many athletes have a high BMI, but have low body fat. Ask your doctor about other available tests, such as a blood pressure screening, blood tests and a body fat composition test, to better determine your overall health.
Things You'll Need
- Bathroom scale
- Measuring tape
- Calculator
- Pencil
- Partner
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