Updated March 08, 2014.

Body Mass Index

BMI can be determined by dividing your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared and then multiplying by 705.
For example, a woman who is 5'6" and weighs 190 would have a BMI of 31.

 

• Height of 5'6" = 66 inches
  66 squared = 4,356
  190 divided by 4,356 = 0.0436
  0.0436 x 705 = 30.75 (which would be rounded up to a BMI of 31)

 

What Does Your BMI Mean?

The following applies for adults 20 years of age and older:
 

• An individual is considered underweight if their BMI is less than 18.5.
• A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered a "normal" weight.
• A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight.
• Individuals who fall into the BMI range of 25 to 34.9 begin having some health risk concerns.
• A BMI of 30 or more qualifies an individual as obese.
• A BMI over 40 indicates that a person is morbidly obese.
• Specifically, those who have a high BMI and a waist size of more than 40 inches for men, or 35 inches for women, have a higher risk for obesity-related health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

<sub>Sources

American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM Fit Society Page. Body Fat Composition: How to Measure It and What Does it Mean, Winter 2006-2007.

 

Centers for Disease Control, CDC.gov. Body Mass Index: About BMI for Adults.

Gallagher, Dymna and Steve Heymsfield, et al. "Healthy percentage body fat ranges: an approach for developing guidelines based on body mass index 72 (3): 694". 24 Jan 2000. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 16 Oct 2006.

Kanai, H. and Y Matsuzawa, et al. "Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association". Close Correlation of Intra-abdominal. 15 June 1990. American Heart Association.

"Percent Body Fat -- 2." Percent Body Fat -- Skinfold Measures. Shape Up America.

Yusuf, MD Salim, et al. "Obesity measure should be redefined to accurately assess heart attack risk". Nov 2005. McMaster University.</sub>