What is BMI?
by Peggy Kleiber
October 03, 2008
What is BMI? How is BMI calculated?
BMI is short for Body Mass Index. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention uses a formula that contains common standard measurements to calculate BMI.
(Weight _____ lbs. ÷ Height _____ inches2 ) x 703
For example, assume you weigh 150 lbs. and are 65 inches tall.
Weight 150 lbs. ÷ Height 65 inches x 65 inches x 703 = 24.96 BMI
The metric system is simpler to calculate.
(Weight _____ kg ÷ Height ______meters2) = BMI
You may go to an online calculator and let it do the calculating for you.
But, what does 24.96 tell us?
| BMI | |
| Underweight | < 18.5 |
| Normal Weight | 18.5 - 24.9 |
| Overweight | 25 - 29.9 |
| Obesity | 30 or greater |
