Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both men and women between the ages of 18 and 65 years. BMI can be used to indicate whether you are overweight, obese, underweight, or normal. A high BMI can be an indicator of high body fatness. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI is moderately correlated with more direct measures of body fat, such as skinfold thickness measurements, bioelectrical impedance, underwater weighing, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and other methods 1,2,3.
While BMI is a good general indicator of whether a person has too much or too little body fat, it is not perfect. BMI does not take into account how much muscle a person has or where on the body they carry their weight. As a result, some people may have a high BMI but not have much fat. These people are often muscular athletes. For example, someone who weighs 80 kg and is 180 cm tall would have a BMI of 24.4 kg/m2. However, if this person was very muscular, their BMI might not accurately reflect their level of fatness.
What is BMI?
Body mass index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.
A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered normal weight. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. A BMI of 30 or above is considered obese.
BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI is correlated with more direct measures of body fat, such as skinfold thickness measurements, bioelectrical impedance, underwater weighing, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and others. Therefore, BMI can be used as an indirect measure of body fatness.
BMI has some limitations, however. For example, it does not distinguish between muscle and fat tissue, nor does it provide any information about the distribution of fat tissue in the body. In addition, BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and other people who have a muscular build, and it may underestimate body fat in older adults and other people who have lost muscle mass. Nevertheless, BMI remains a useful tool for assessing weight status in the general population.
How is BMI calculated?
Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women.
To calculate BMI, divide your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. You can also use our BMI calculator.
A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, and a BMI of 30 or above is considered obese. Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer, such as endometrial, breast, and colon cancer.
If your BMI is below 18.5, you are considered underweight. This puts you at risk for developing health problems such as osteoporosis, anemia, and malnutrition.
What are the benefits of knowing your BMI?
There are several benefits to knowing your BMI. First, it can help you determine if you are at a healthy weight. Second, it can help you set weight-loss goals. Third, it can help you track your progress over time. Finally, it can give you an idea of your risk for developing obesity-related health problems.
What are the limitations of BMI?
Though BMI is a widely used measure of healthy body weight, it does have some limitations. Firstly, BMI does not take into account factors such as muscle mass, bone density, or overall body composition. This means that people with higher levels of muscle mass or bone density may have a higher BMI but may not actually be overweight or obese. Secondly, BMI does not account for differences in body fat distribution. For example, someone with a “apple” shaped body (carrying more fat around the waist) may have a lower BMI than someone with a “pear” shaped body (carrying more fat around the hips and thighs), but the person with the “apple” shaped body may be at greater risk for health problems related to obesity. Finally, because BMI is calculated using only height and weight, it is not an accurate measure for children or people of different racial or ethnic groups.
How does BMI affect your health?
Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. BMI is an important tool to help health professionals assess whether someone is at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese.
Being overweight and obese are linked to an increased risk of a number of chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, and joint problems. People who are obese also have a higher risk for sleep apnea and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
BMI is just one factor to consider when it comes to assessing your health. Other factors include your waist circumference, body fat percentage, and how active you are. If you are concerned about your weight, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian to develop a plan to reach and maintain a healthy weight.
