It is important to understand what "healthy weight" means. To calculate the BMI using pounds, divide the weight in pounds by the height in inches squared and multiply the result by 703. The BMI equals a person's weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (BMI = kg/m2). However, it may not be an accurate measurement of body fat for bodybuilders, certain athletes, and pregnant women. However, BMI is a useful general guideline and is a good estimator of body fat for most adults 19 and 70 years of age. BMI also does not provide information on a person's percentage of body fat. Not everyone agrees on the cutoff points for "healthy" versus "unhealthy" BMI ranges. The BMI measurement, however, poses some problems. The BMI uses a mathematical formula that accounts for both a person's weight and height. The body mass index ( BMI) is a measurement of choice for many physicians and researchers studying obesity. A very muscular person may be classified as obese, according to the tables, when he or she in fact is not. Many have different weight ranges, and some tables account for a person's frame size, age, and sex, while other tables do not.Ī significant limitation of all weight-for-height tables is that they do not distinguish between excess fat and muscle. One problem with using weight-for-height tables is that doctors disagree over which is the best table to use. The tables usually have a range of acceptable weights for a person of a given height. Doctors and nurses (and many others) have used these tables for decades to determine if someone is overweight. Although such tables have existed for a long time, in 1943, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company introduced their table based on policyholders' data to relate weight to disease and mortality. Most people are familiar with weight-for-height tables. The calculations are easy, and no special equipment is required. While both measurements have their limitations, they are reasonable indicators that someone may have a weight problem. Two widely used methods are weight-for-height tables and body mass index (BMI). Measuring a person's body fat percentage can be difficult, so other methods are often relied upon to diagnose obesity. The greater your BMI, the higher your risk of developing health problems related to excess weight.Īre weight-for-height tables useful to determine obesity? Therefore, it is used by many primary care doctors to identify obesity. It can also be calculated for weight in pounds and height in inches.īody mass index is closely related to body fat percentage but is much easier to measure. It is defined as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m2). People with muscular builds may be classified as obese, even with a low body fat percentage and optimum health, simply because the BMI formula uses only two data points.ĭoctors and researchers use the BMI formula to screen for obesity, but not to diagnose it, as the BMI is a relatively blunt instrument.
If your results from the calculator aren't in the healthy range, don't worry too much. This BMI calculator allows you to easily screen yourself for obesity or extra, unhealthy weight. Therefore, it is much less helpful in identifying the risk of health problems related to weight. For one thing, it does not distinguish fat from muscle, water, or bone. The calculator does not take into account individual conditions. The BMI calculator gives general ranges of healthy and unhealthy weights for adults based on their height. View your BMI number at the center of the tool and see where you fall on the obesity chart.īMI values are based on clinical data about averages for these measurements across a wide range of people.
Set the height and weight dials to match your own height and weight.Use the switch on top to pick either metric or imperial measurements.The default BMI of 16.6 shown on the tool is for a 5'5" person who weighs 100 lbs.
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