Body Mass Index commonly called BMI, is a measure of your weight with respect to your height. It is the calculation tool used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assess levels of obesity. BMI gives a reliable measure of body fat for most people, according to the CDC, and is a screening tool for weight-related health problems. The formula for calculating BMI was developed by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute as part of its Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, And Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults.
Step 1
Measure your height in inches. For example, if your height is 5 feet 2 inches, express it as 62 inches. Round your measurement to the nearest quarter inch.
Step 2
Weigh yourself, rounding to the nearest pound.
Step 3
Divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches. For example, if you weigh 152 pounds and your height is 62 inches, the calculation is 152/62 = 2.45. .
Step 4
Divide the result from Step 3 by your height in inches again. Continuing with the same example, the calculation is 2.45/62 = 0.04.
Step 5
Multiply the result from Step 4 by 703. The result is your BMI. Using the example, 0.04 x 703 = 28.12.
Tips and Warnings
- Make every effort to get accurate measurements for your height and weight. Use digital scales if possible, and stand up straight, in stocking feet when measuring your height. You can also calculate your BMI using an online BMI calculator--find a link to one in Resources. Just enter your height and weight measurements and the calculator will automatically compute your BMI.
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Scales
- Calculator
Member Comments