Body Mass Index Chart-(BMI)
What is your BMI?
As the new year approaches and you make a resolution to join a gym and begin exercising this could be one of the questions posed to you on your fitness evaluation. Understanding what BMI is, and what the calculations mean to you can be a big step in determining whether you need to make major changes to your diet plan.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a relationship between weight and height that is associated with body fat and health risk. Body mass Index or (BMI) is a well known measure utilized by doctors, dietitians and nurses to determine whether you are underweight, overweight or within a healthy weight range.
The higher your BMI, the greater your risk for diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and certain cancers.
How to Calculate your Body Mass Index
Table:
Imperial BMI Formular (BMI)=
( kg/m² ) (weight in pounds * 703 )
———————————————
height in inches²
Table:
Metric BMI Formular BMI=
( kg/m² ) weight in kilograms
——————————————–
height in meters²
What the Body Mass Index chart calculations means;
• Underweight: Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 18.5
• Normal Weight: Body Mass Index (BMI) of 18.5-24.9
• Overweight: Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25.0 to 29.9
Obese: BMI of 30.0 or more
If you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 30 or more and are concerned about the reading on the Body Mass Index Chart you should speak with your doctor to determine what diet or weight loss plan is right for you. Your health should be the number one priority in your life and it took me a long time to realize this. Knowing where you stand and putting and action plan in place can save your life.
You can use this Body Mass Index Chart to determine where you stand:
Great tool, you don’t have to do any math to get your BMI. I found I have to drop over 20 Lbs to not be overweight!!!
Thanks!
Wonderful! Sounds like you are on the right track : )
I have an issue with BMI as do lots of people. It can be way off for people who are lean. It actually doesn’t take body fat into account. It only considers weight and height.
At a BMI or 27.0 I’m considered a fair amount overweight. I don’t think so.
I recommend that people get their body fat tested, at the gym or with a bodyfat scale. You could lose 10 pounds of fat and gain 10 pounds of muscle, which isn’t unheard of for people who do moderate weight training plus 20 minutes of interval cardio work 3-4 times per week. Your BMI number won’t change but you’ll look and feel and be much healthier.
Sol
Sol, This is very true if you are muscular and I appreciate you bringing up this point
Thanks!
I agree with Sol that BMI can be a bit confusing for individual body types, but for the vast majority of people, it is a good indicator of health related issues. It’s one of many numbers that is a great tool to help paint the picture for people looking to improve their fitness. The real trick is explaining to people that the number is only one of many factors they need to consider. For me, a body fat composition number is the most important number to focus on, and yet the scale rules for most people.
Great tool, but I also agree with Sol and Cindy. Knowing your body fat is the real deal.