Calculate Your Body Mass Index

Body mass index (BMI) has been proposed as an alternative to the traditionally-used height-weight tables in assessing obesity.  BMI measures weight, corrected for height.  You can determine BMI by weight in kilograms by height in square meters using the following steps:

1. Divide your weight in pounds by2.2, to get your weight in kilograms.
2. Multiply your height in inches by 2.54 and divide the result by 100, to get your height in meters; then multiply the height in meters by itself (that is, square it).
3. Divide the weight in kilograms (the result of step #1) by the square of the height in meters (the result of step #2).

The result is your body mass.

Index (BMI)

The desired BMI range for healthy adults is 20 to 25, which represents a healthy weight for height.

Persons with a BMI of 25 to 30 are approximately 20% above the desired levels.  Persons with a BMI between 35 and 40 are at high risk, and BMI's greater than 40 indicate very high risk.

A BMI of less than 20 for males or less than 19 for females is classified as underweight and is associated with risk factors such as respiratory disease, tuberculosis, digestive disease and some cancers.

Body Mass Index and Associated Level of Medical Risk

• Body Mass Index 20-25 and below = Very Low Risk

• Body Mass Index 25-30 = Low Risk

• Body Mass Index 30-35 = Moderate Risk

• Body Mass Index 35-40 = High Risk

• Body Mass Index greater than 40 = Very High Risk