Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About BMI

What is BMI (Body Mass Index)?

Body mass index (BMI) is a Mathematical Value Calculated from Your Body Weight & Height and is relevant to most adult men and women aged 20 and above.

BMI is used to find out whether a person is of a healthy weight or Not as Per their Height and Age.

BMI Categories

Below are the standard weight status categorized as per Standard BMI ranges. 

What do these BMI Values Mean to You?

1. BMI Below 18.5 (Underweight)

You need to Start eating Healthy and increase your muscular weight. Your dietitian will suggest you appropriate a Meal plan to increase the needed weight.

2. BMI between 18.5 to 24.9 (Healthy Weight)

Congratulations! You are as fit as a fiddle! Maintain your healthy weight and continue with your current Meal plan and exercise regime.

3. BMI between 25.0 to 29.9 (Over Weight)

You are Slightly Overweight. You need to lose some weight, it will be good for Your health. You can ignore this if you are a bodybuilder and are bit beefed up with Muscles.

4. BMI over 30 (Obese)

It’s a warning sign! You need to give immediate attention to your current lifestyle. Contact your dietician for a Meal plan to reduce your weight and indulge yourself in physical exercises. Again, you can ignore this if you are a Bodybuilder.

How is BMI Used?

BMI (Body Mass Index) or Quetelet index is used as a Screening Tool to identify possible weight problems in adults.

However, BMI results are not 100% accurate or can be relied upon. It often miscategorizes bodybuilders, who are beefed up with muscles, as overweight or obese.

Healthy BMI Ranges between 19 and 25.

To determine further, a detailed medical examination is required, which may involve:

• Skinfold thickness measurements
• Assessment of diet
• Physical activity
• Family history
• Other relevant health tests.

How to Calculate BMI?

The Calculation of BMI is very Simple. You can use either of the Below Formulas to Calculate Your BMI right away.

1. Metric BMI Formula

Weight (kg) / Height (m)²

Step 1: Take your weight (Kg) and measure your height (without shoes).

Step 2: If you have measured your height in centimeter, divide your height by 100 to convert it into the meter

Step 3: Divide your Weight (Kg) by Your Height squared (meter)

For Example, John weights 65 Kg and Height of 170 Cm (1.7 M), John’s BMI will be 65/(1.7)² 

= 65/2.89 = 22.49 John has a Healthy BMI

2. Imperial BMI Formula

(Weight (lbs.) * 703) / Height (inches)²

Step 1: Measure Your Height (in inches) and Weight (in pounds)

Step 2: Multiply Your weight in Pounds by 703

Step 3: Divide the result by your height in inches, squared.

For Example, Lisa weights 121 Pounds and Height of 62 inches, Lisa’s BMI will be calculated as below:

Weight (lbs.) * 703 = 121*703 = 85,063 which will be divided by height, squared.

85,063/3,844 =22.12 Lisa has a Healthy BMI

BMI Calculator

You can use the Below BMI Calculator to Calculate your BMI Value instantly.

Why is it Important to Know Your Body Mass Index?

Some people may argue that Body Mass Index or BMI is just another number and it is irrelevant if you are not suffering from any disease.

Even an Overweight and Class 1 Obese individual can Look Healthy and Fit but that doesn’t mean the person is medically fit.

There are several health risks associated with being overweight or obese like:

• Hypertension
• High Cholesterol
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Coronary Heart Disease
• Stroke
• Cancer
• and More

And that’s why it still important to calculate your BMI and make some lifestyle changes accordingly.

Although Body Mass Index Values are not 100% Accurate. But if you are Obese as per Your BMI value then there are 95% chances of you being fat as per your body fat percentage unless you are a beefed-up bodybuilder.

BMI Limitations

Some Experts debate about uncertainties associated with BMI values, stating that it is not the accurate measurement of body fat or the health of an individual.

BMI fails to consider age or sex into account in its calculations. Women are genetically built to have more body fat as compared to men of the same BMI. Older People tend to have more body fat as compared to Younger people of the same BMI.

Besides, BMI calculations are unable to measure the exact location of body fat. Studies have shown that Body fat which is present around the abdomen region a.k.a Belly Fat is the most dangerous body fat as compared to fat present in any other part of the body like thighs, hips, arms, etc.

Bodybuilders and Muscular people will have inaccurate BMI readings because the muscles tend to weigh more as compared to fat.

BMI also doesn’t account for pregnant women, lactating women, or growing children.

It is advised that instead of depending completely on Body Mass Index, one should consider the below three factors for their Health Assessment:

1. BMI
2. Waist Circumference
3. Risk Factors for conditions associated with Obesity

If Your waist is greater than 35 inches for a woman and 40 inches for a man then you are at a high risk of having a heart disease or type 2 diabetes.  If you have a BMI of 29+ and waist circumference as above, you need to consider a lifestyle change that should involve losing weight, a healthy diet, and regular exercise.

Losing weight is easy, check out some of these Diet Plans and Natural Foods which will help you to Lose Weight Effortlessly!