Body Mass Index - BMI Calculator

What is BMI

Body mass index (BMI) is a statistical measurement of the weight of a person scaled according to height. It is a guide to how overweight or underweight a person is, but should not be used in isolation to diagnose a weight problem.

A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, a BMI over 30 is considered obese. Individuals who fall into the BMI range of 25 to 34.9, and have a waist size of over 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women, are considered to be at especially high risk for health problems.

Calculate your BMI using one of the calculators below, the results should tell you if you are of normal weight.

How to use the BMI calculator

Below are two calculators each for different units. Choose your units, enter your height and weight in the appropriate place.

Note this calculation is for adults, 18 or older. Here you calculate BMI for teens and children.

* Make sure to leave the BMI field blank this is where your result will appear.

BMI Calculator (Kilos & cm)

BMI Calculator (Feet/Inches & Pounds)

Analyse Your Results

What Does your BMI number mean? If your BMI number is above 25 you are overweight if your BMI is above 30 you are considered obese and it is very important that you start a diet and an exercise routine to get in shape.

The higher your BMI, the higher your risk for certain diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems, and certain cancers.

The good news is even a small weight loss (between 5 and 10 percent of your current weight) will help lower your risk of developing those diseases.

The first thing you should do is consult your doctor to make sure you do not have a health issue that prevents you from dieting or exercising, next you can start by reading the following guides for better health:

Embrace a healthy eating lifestyle
Aim for 30-60 minutes of moderate exercise 4-6 times a week.
Most importantly set goals and work towards them starting now.

Important note: Even though the BMI is usually a good way to mesure body fat it may be skewed for some people depending on thier build.

Many bodybuilders and athletes would be considered overweight according to the BMI calculation, as BMI does not take into account muscle mass, just total mass. As muscle is denser that fat, very muscular people can show a high BMI even though they are of a healthy weight.

You can verify your BMI result with other mesurements.

Other Measurements

Another way of determining obesity and increased risk for various diseases is the Waist Circumference (WC). Recent studies have found it to be slightly more accurate in predicting higher risk of obesity related diseases.

According to the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, waist circumference is a good indicator of abdominal fat, which is another predictor of your risk for developing hypertension, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and other conditions.

To determine your WC, locate the upper hip bone and place a measuring tape around the abdomen (ensuring that the tape measure is horizontal). The tape measure should be snug but should not cause compressions on the skin. The following chart should be helpful in determining the possible risks associated with your BMI and WC.

Classification of Overweight and Obesity by BMI, Waist Circumference, and Associated Disease Risks
			*Disease Risk Relative to Normal Weight and Waist Circumference**
	BMI (kg/m²)	Obesity Class	Men 102 cm (40 in) or less Women 88 cm (35 in) or less	Men > 102 cm (40 in) Women > 88 cm (35 in)
Underweight	< 18.5		-	-
Normal	18.5 - 24.9		-	-
Overweight	25.0 - 29.9		Increased	High
Obesity	30.0 - 34.9	I	High	Very High
	35.0 - 39.9	II	Very High	Very High
Extreme Obesity	40.0 +	III	Extremely High	Extremely High

* Disease risk for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and CVD.
+ Increased waist circumference can also be a marker for increased risk even in persons of normal weight.
SOURCE: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

Waist-hip ratio

Additonal measurement of risk may be the ratio of your waist circumference (the narrowest point on your abdomen) to your hip circumference (the widest point).

A ratio of more than 1.0 for a man (in other words your waist is bigger than your hips) or 0.8 for a woman means you urgently need to reduce your weight and increase your levels of exercise.

Additional Risk Factors

There are additional disease risk factors to consider:

High blood pressure (hypertension)
High LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol)
Low HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol)
High triglyceridesIT
High blood glucose (sugar)
Family history of premature heart disease
Physical inactivity
Cigarette smoking

Benefits of Losing Weight

By losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight, you are also likely to enjoy these quality-of-life factors too.

Fewer joint and muscle pains
Greater ability to join in desired activities
Better regulation of bodily fluids and blood pressure
Reduced burden on your heart and circulatory system
Better sleep patterns
More effective metabolism of sugars and carbohydrates
Reduced risk for heart disease and certain cancers

Exercises to Lose Belly Fat
How to burn belly fat with exercise. The importance of exercises to lose belly fat.

Belly Fat Diet
Simple diet changes you can make today that will give you lasting weight loss.