Your Personal BMI Calculator
Calculating your BMI is the first step to understanding your body better.
The BMI is an easily understandable value, but it has limitations!
How the BMI Calculator Works
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement to assess an individual's body weight about their
height. It's a simple calculation that provides a general indication of whether a person's
weight falls within a healthy range relative to their height.
Calculation:
The BMI uses the following formula:
𝐵𝑀𝐼 = weight (kg) / height (m)2
Or, in imperial units:
𝐵𝑀𝐼 = weight (lb) / height (in)2 × 703
Interpretation:
The BMI falls into one of several categories:
- Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
- Normal weight: BMI between 18.5 and 24.9
- Overweight: BMI between 25 and 29.9
- Obesity: BMI of 30 or higher
Uses of BMI:
- Health Assessment: Healthcare professionals often use BMI as a
screening tool to assess a person's risk for certain health conditions associated with
being underweight, overweight, or obese, such as heart disease and diabetes.
- Population Studies: BMI is valuable in public health research and
policy-making as it provides a quick and easy way to assess and monitor trends in weight
status within populations.
Limitations of the BMI Calculator
- Doesn't Account for Muscle Mass: BMI does not distinguish between
weight, muscle, and fat, which means that people with high muscle mass may have a higher
BMI despite having a low body fat percentage.
- Doesn't Consider Body Composition: BMI does not provide information
about how fat is distributed. Fat around the abdomen is associated with higher health
risks than fat distributed in other body areas.
- Not Applicable to Everyone: BMI does not reflect health risks in
specific populations, such as older adults, children, and individuals with specific
medical conditions.