Calculate Body Mass Index (BMI)

tmcoyle
tmcoyle Posts: 168 Member
edited November 13 in Social Groups
BMI, or body mass index, is a simple tool used to determine body fat for most adults. Your BMI is calculated using your height and weight. While it's helpful to predict risk for developing weight-related health conditions, it's important to know what your BMI does and does not indicate about your weight and overall health.


How to calculate your BMI


Use this formula of weight (in pounds) ÷ [height (in inches) x height (in inches)] x 703.

Click here to calculate your BMI http://gundersen.staywellsolutionsonline.com/InteractiveTools/Calculators/41,BMICalc

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, BMI is categorized like this:

Underweight: BMI below 18.5

Normal weight: 18.5-24.9

Overweight: 25.0-29.9

Obese: 30.0 and above

What BMI means for your health:

Studies have shown that people with very low or very high BMIs tend to have the greatest health risks. However, BMI is only a rough predictor of overall health. Even if your BMI is in the normal category, there are other factors than can raise your risk for health problems such as smoking, lack of regular exercise, or a diet high in added fat and sugar. If your BMI is above the normal range and you have normal blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, and exercise regularly your overall health risk may be lower. This is from Gundersen Health Systems
This discussion has been closed.