BMI Calculation

What is the BMI Calculation? If you want to know if you are either overweight or obese, a fairly accurate measure is the BMI calculation. It is the most common method of determining your status and is short for the Body Mass Index. BMI looks at your weight in relationship to your height. To work out your own BMI, enter your weight in pounds and your height in feet and inches and click "Calculate BMI":

The table below explains the range of BMI which fits into each category.

 

BMI	What it means
Under 18.5	Underweight
18.5 - 24.9	Normal weight
25 - 29.9	Overweight
30 and above	Obese

BMI on its own is not always a reliable indicator of excess weight, as it fails to take into account muscle developed by body builders,for example, giving them a false reading ie "overweight". At the other end of the scale it may give a false indication of underweight in older people who have lost muscle.

Another quick way to assess your likelihood of increased risk of illness related to overweight and obesity is the size of your waist. So get out the measuring tape!

For men, a waist circumference of over 37" ( 94 cm) and for women of over 31.5" (80 cm) is cause for concern. In men, a waist size of more than 40" (102 cm) and in women waist size of more than 34.5" (88 cm) indicates a greatly increased risk of illness.

The situation with children is a little different because they are still growing and can experience sudden growth spurts. Special charts are used to interpret children's height and weight in relation to age and gender. BMI is useful in identifying children and teenagers who may be at risk of obesity in adult life.

If you are concerned that you or your children may be at risk of weight-related illnesses, consult your doctor. BMI is not the only risk factor - lack of exercise, quality of diet as well as amount of food eaten, high blood pressure and family medical history all play a part..

Obesity Statistics

Just how many people are overweight or obese?

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