What’s BMI? It stands for Body Mass Index, a number calculated from a person’s weight and height. Although BMI does not measure body fat directly, it is used as a reliable indicator of body fitness and is used to screen for weight categories that can lead to health problems.
An ideal BMI for adults is between 18.5 and 24.9. A person with a BMI over 24.9 is considered overweight, and a person with a BMI under 18.5 is considered underweight. A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. Current statistics indicate that approximately 61 million American adults are obese.
Calculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in.) squared and multiply by a conversion factor of 703.
For example a person who weights 150 lbs and is 5 feet 5 inches tall has a 24.96 BMI
(calculated as follows):
Weight = 150 lbs, Height = 5’ 5”
Calculation [150/ (65)2] x 703 = 24.96
Here is a simplified BMI chart.
| Normal | Overweight | Obese | |||
| BMI | 19-24 | 25-29 | 30+ | ||
| Height in Inches | Body Weight in Pounds | ||||
| 58 | 91-115 | 119-138 | 143+ | ||
| 59 | 94-119 | 124-143 | 148+ | ||
| 5 foot | 60 | 97-123 | 128-148 | 153+ | |
| 61 | 100-127 | 132-153 | 158+ | ||
| 62 | 104-131 | 136-158 | 164+ | ||
| 63 | 107-135 | 141-163 | 169+ | ||
| 64 | 110-140 | 145-169 | 174+ | ||
| 65 | 114-144 | 150-174 | 180+ | ||
| 66 | 118-148 | 155-179 | 186+ | ||
| 67 | 121-153 | 159-185 | 191+ | ||
| 68 | 125-158 | 164-190 | 197+ | ||
| 69 | 128-162 | 169-196 | 203+ | ||
| 70 | 132-167 | 174-202 | 209+ | ||
| 71 | 136-172 | 179-208 | 215+ | ||
| 6 foot | 72 | 140-177 | 184-213 | 221+ | |
| 73 | 144-182 | 189-219 | 227+ | ||
| 74 | 148-186 | 194-225 | 233+ | ||
| 75 | 152-192 | 200-232 | 240+ | ||
| 76 | 156-197 | 205-238 | 246+ | ||
Or go to www.cdc.gov to calculate your BMI.
The BMI score is valid for both men and women, but it does have some limits. When used to calculate body fatness, it may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build and underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle mass.
BMI is a general description, not a specific diagnosis for any particular health problem. Still, it is a good way to check to see where you are on this measure since being under or over weight is a prime determinate of overall health.
As always, please see your health professionals for the best advice on your health concerns.
Special Note: Thank you to Insight reader, Carol Graetz for suggesting this topic.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov.
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