What is BMI? How to calculate the BMI of a person?

What is BMI?

BMI stands for Body Mass Index, which measures a person's weight relative to their height. It is used to determine if someone is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. 

BMI is calculated using a formula that takes into account a person's weight and height.

How to calculate the BMI of a person?

Here is how to calculate the BMI (body mass index) of a person and what the results mean:

BMI Calculation:

• Convert your weight to kilograms. To do this, divide your weight in pounds by 2.2. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, divide 150 by 2.2 to get 68.18 kilograms.

• Convert your height to meters. To do this, divide your height in inches by 39.37. For example, if you are 5'7" (67 inches) tall, divide 67 by 39.37 to get 1.70 meters.

• Square your height in meters. To do this, multiply your height by meters by itself. For example, if your height is 1.70 meters, multiply 1.70 by 1.70 to get 2.89.

• Divide your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. For example, if you weigh 68.18 kilograms and your height is 1.70 meters, divide 68.18 by 2.89 to get a BMI of 23.6.

BMI Categories:

Once you have calculated your BMI, you can determine what category you fall into based on the following ranges:

• Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
• Normal weight: BMI between 18.5 and 24.9
• Overweight: BMI between 25 and 29.9
• Obese: BMI of 30 or higher

Limitations of BMI:

It's important to note that BMI is not always accurate in measuring a person's health. 

For example, athletes who have a lot of muscle mass may have a high BMI even though they are not overweight or obese. 

Similarly, older adults or people with a lot of body fat may have a lower BMI but still be at risk for health problems. 

Therefore, it's important to use BMI as just one tool to assess overall health and consult with a healthcare provider for individualized advice.

Uses of BMI calculation:

BMI is commonly used as a screening tool to identify potential weight-related health problems in adults. Here are some specific uses of BMI:

Identify obesity: 

BMI is used to identify obesity, a major risk factor for several health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer.

Assess overall health risks: 

BMI is often used as a quick and easy way to assess an individual's overall health risks. A high BMI can indicate a higher risk for weight-related health problems, whereas a low BMI may indicate an increased risk of malnutrition or other health issues.

Monitor weight loss progress: 

BMI can be a useful tool to track changes in weight over time, particularly for those who are trying to lose weight. A decrease in BMI can indicate successful weight loss and improved health outcomes.

Population health research: 

BMI is also used in population health research to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in different populations and to study trends over time.

While BMI is a useful screening tool, it's important to remember that it doesn't provide a complete picture of an individual's health. Other factors, such as muscle mass, age, sex, and ethnicity, can affect an individual's health risks and should be considered in conjunction with BMI.

BMI Calculator

Weight (kg):
Height (m):

Your BMI: