BMI - Body Mass Index: BMI for Adults |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Body Mass Index or BMI is a tool for indicating weight
status in adults.1 It is a measure of weight for height. For
adults over 20 years old, BMI falls into one of these categories:
Note: BMI for Children and Teens is based on gender and age specific charts. BMI correlates with body fat. The relation between fatness and BMI differs with age and gender. For example, women are more likely to have a higher percent of body fat than men for the same BMI. On average, older people may have more body fat than younger adults with the same BMI.
The BMI ranges are based on the effect body weight has on disease and death.3 As BMI increases, the risk for some disease increases. Some common conditions related to overweight and obesity include4
BMI is only one of many factors used to predict risk for disease. BMI cannot be used to tell a person if he/she has a disease such as diabetes or cancer. It is important to remember that weight is only one factor that is related to disease. BMI English FormulaBody Mass Index can be calculated using pounds and inches with this equation
For example, a person who weighs 220 pounds and is 6 feet 3 inches tall has a BMI of 27.5.
|
| BMI = | (Height in Meters) x (Height in Meters) |
|
| or | ||
| BMI = ( | (Height in centimeters) x (Height in centimeters) |
) x 10,000 |
For example, a person who weighs 99.79 Kilograms and is 1.905 Meters (190.50 centimeters) tall has a BMI of 27.5.
99.79 Kg
(1.905 m) x (1.905 m)= 27.5
So you have calculated your BMI and found which weight category your BMI matches. What does this all mean?
BMI is not the only indicator of health risk.
BMI is just one of many factors related to developing a chronic disease
(such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes). Other factors that may be
important to look at when assessing your risk for chronic disease include:
- Diet
- Physical Activity
- Waist Circumference
- Blood Pressure
- Blood Sugar Level
- Cholesterol Level
- Family History of disease
All persons who are obese or overweight should try not to gain additional weight. In addition, those who are obese or who are overweight with other risk factors should consider losing weight. A complete health assessment by a physician is the best way to decide the right steps for you.
Whatever your BMI, talk to your doctor to see if you are at an increased risk for disease and if you should lose weight. Even a small weight loss (just 10% of your current weight) may help to lower the risk of disease.
Physical activity and good nutrition are key factors in leading a healthy lifestyle and reducing risk for disease.
