Body Mass Index (BMI)


What is BMI?
Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on a person's height and weight. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fat for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. BMI can be used to indicate if you are overweight, obese, underweight or normal.

What is my BMI supposed to be?
A healthy BMI score is between 20 and 25. A score below 20 indicates that you may be underweight; a value above 25 indicates that you may be overweight.

BMI WEIGHT STATUS
Below 18.5 Underweight
18.5 – 24.9 Normal
25.0 – 29.9 Overweight
30.0 and above Obese

How do I calculate my BMI?

To calculate your BMI use the following instructions:

  1. Multiply your weight in pounds times 0.45 (the metric conversion factor).
  2. Multiply your height in inches by 0.025 (the metric conversion factor).
  3. Square the answer from step 2.
  4. Divide the answer from step 1 by the answer from step 3.
    1. Example: A person is 5'3" and weighs 126 pounds.
      Step 1 - 126 x 0.45 = 56.7
      Step 2 - 63 x 0.025 = 1.575
      Step 3 - 1.575 x 1.575 = 2.480625
      Step 4 - 56.7/2.480625 = 22.8 or practically 23.