Your Body Mass Index – What is It and How to Calculate It
There are several methods and techniques doctors use to estimate and determine whether or not someone is underweight, overweight, average weight, or obese. Today, the most common method of measuring a person’s body weight is the body mass index (also referred to as BMI). The body mass index measures your weight relative to your height, and determines your muscle-to-fat ratio.
Body Mass Index Calculation
The best way to determine your body mass index is to find a body mass index calculator online and enter your height and weight. These online body mass index calculators automatically and instantly calculate your height and weight measurements to determine your body mass index number.
If for some reason you can’t find an online body mass index calculator or would rather calculate your BMI yourself, use the following formula:
Body Mass Index = (Weight in Pounds / (Height in inches) x (Height in inches) ) x 703
Once you find out your body mass index, refer to the table below to see if you’re underweight, overweight, normal weight, or obese:
Below 18.5 - Underweight
18.5 - 24.9 - Normal
25.0 - 29.9 - Overweight
30.0 and up - Obese
Interpreting Your Body Mass Index Results
The higher your body mass index, the closer you are to being overweight or obese. Doctors suggest that if you have a body mass index of 25.0 or higher, you should see a medical professional for advice on how to lose weight.
The heavier you are, the more prone you are to some diseases. Some common conditions related to being overweight include:
- Premature death
- Cardiovascular disease
- High blood pressure
- Osteoarthritis
- Some cancers
- Diabetes
The body mass index can only predict risk of disease and health issues. It cannot determine if you have a disease or illness connected to obesity. Body weight is only one factor involved in disease and health issues, and should be used primarily as a risk factor indicator. If you want to stay healthy and lower your risk of disease, eat healthy, exercise, and lower your body mass index.
Body Mass Index Accuracy
The body mass index is fairly accurate and a convenient way to determine your muscle-to-fat ratio. However there are some limitations to the body mass index that you need to be aware of before you get your index.
Since muscle is denser and weighs more than fat, and the body mass index only takes into consideration over-all weight and height, an athletic individual’s body mass index won’t be as accurate as that of a non athlete. In this case, the body mass index of the athlete will be overestimated, accounting for the weight of the muscle rather than the weight of a person’s body fat.
On the other hand, those individuals, who have very little muscle but have a lot of body fat will have an underestimated body mass index. This is because they lack muscle mass, which adds weight to the body. Our body weight is combination of the weight of our muscle and the weight of our body fat. Since the body mass index does not involve muscle measurements, a person with little muscle mass and an over abundance of fat might actually have the same body mass index of someone with average muscle mass and fat.
The bottom line is muscle is healthier than fat. If your body mass index is low, yet you know you have much more body fat then muscle, you should consult a physician to determine whether or not you’re underweight, overweight, normal weight, or obese.
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