It is not as accurate for athletes as it may not accurately assess body composition (read: does not take into account the weight of bones, muscles, or organs).It does not directly assess body fat and there are other measures such as waist circumference or DEXA scans that may be a better measure of body composition.We know that BMI is not a perfect measure of health. 4 Underweight is the range of weight that is lower than what is generally considered healthy for a given height, and may indicate underlying medical conditions or an eating disorder and higher risk for conditions such as osteoporosis. Overweight and obese are the ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height, and are used as a signal for higher risk for certain diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea. Calculation: x 703= x 703= 29.1īMI is interpreted by using the following weight categories.Example: weight =202.8 lb and height= 70 in.However, it can also be calculated using the English System: your weight (in pounds) divided by your height squared (in inches) multiplied by 703. Example: weight =92 kg and height= 1.78 m.2, 3, 4Ĭalculating your BMI is as simple as plugging your height and weight into an online BMI calculator for women and men, such as the one hosted by the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.īMI formula: your weight (in kilograms) divided by your height squared (in meters), expressed as kg/m 2. 1 A higher percentage of body fat is proven to be associated with increased risk for developing certain diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, breathing problems, certain cancers, and death. This measure accounts for the child's sex and age, as well as their weight.Īs recognized by global health organizations such as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, BMI represents the relationship between weight and height to estimate the amount of fat in the body. The similar measure for children and teens is called BMI-for-age, or BMI percentile. The measure is used for adults aged 20 and older. It is a signal to your doctor to take a closer look and have a more detailed conversation with you about your health. It is one of the measures that your health care provider uses to determine your health risk in relation to your weight. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple measure for weight-related health risk.

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