BMI stands for Body Mass Index, a numerical value of your weight in relation to your height. BMIs are good indicators of healthy or unhealthy weights for adult men and women, regardless of body frame size. It's a useful, indirect measure of body composition, because in most people it correlates highly with body fat. Weight in kilograms is divided by height in meters squared (kg/m2). Or multiply weight in pounds by 703, divide by height in inches, then divide again by height in inches. In studies by the National Center for Health Statistics. BMIs under 25 are considered healthy, while higher BMIs are associated with significantly increased health risks. People with BMIs of 25 or higher are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke even if they have no other risk factors.
Excess weight increases the heart's work. It also raises blood pressure and blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels and lowers HDL (good) cholesterol levels. It can make diabetes more likely to develop, too.
To calculate your BMI, type your height and weight into the calculator.
- BMI values less than 18.5 are considered underweight.
- BMI values from 18.5 to 24.9 are normal.
- Overweight is defined as a body mass index of 25.0 to less than 30.0 (consistent with U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans). A BMI of about 25 kg/m2 corresponds to about 10 percent over ideal body weight.
- Obesity is defined as a BMI of 30.0 or greater (consistent with criteria of the World Health Organization), or about 30 pounds or more overweight. Extreme obesity is defined as a BMI of 40 or greater.
Another recommended ways to estimate body fat is by Body Fat percentage and Waist circumference measurement. Normal Body Fat percentage for women are from 17%-27% ; for men are from 14%-23%. While a high-risk waistline is 35 inches or higher for women, and 40 inches or higher for men.
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