Body Mass Index
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure used to determine obesity and
health associated risks. The 1998 guidelines have a body mass index
over 25 being overweight. The old guidelines used 27 as the
overweight mark.
BMI and Healthy
Weight A "healthy weight
target" of less than 25 is recommended for everyone over the age of
20.
To use the table, find the appropriate height in the left-hand column. Move across to a given weight (in pounds)
at the top of the chart. The square where these intersect is your BMI at that height and weight. Pounds have been rounded
off.
Note: BMI is not for
everyone. It correlates well with total body fat. However, very
muscular people may have a high BMI without excess body fat and, so,
they have an added health risk.
*See Key
below to understand what your BMI means for you.
BMI Category
Health Risk
Based on BMI
BMI Risk Adjusted for the
Presence of other Risk Factors
<25
Minimal
Low
25-<27
Low
Moderate
27-<30
Moderate
High
30-<35
High
Very High
35-<40
Very High
Extremely High
40+
Extremely High
Extremely High
CALCULATE Body Mass Index (BMI)
1. Multiply your weight (in pounds) by
703.
2. Multiply
your height (in inches) by your height (in inches). This will give you your
height (in inches) squared.
3. Divide
your answer in step 1 by your answer in step 2 to find your BMI (body mass
index).
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