How to Find Your BMI
Your weight could be putting you at risk. Nothing is more important than your health and learning how to find your BMI, or Body Mass Index, can help you determine if those extra pounds can put your health in jeopardy. Properly calculated, your BMI is one of the most accurate ways to determine whether you are overweight, underweight or the ideal weight based on height and weight.
A BMI of 25 or greater is considered overweight and can carry some moderate health risks. A BMI of over 30 and greater is considered obese. Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, some cancers and high blood pressure. Those who are considered underweight are also considered at risk. An individual with a BMI below 18.5 can be a sign of underlying health problems. They are also at risk for developing nutritional deficiencies or osteoporosis. Those within the normal BMI range, 18.5 to 24.9, are considered to be less likely to acquire weight related illnesses.
A great step to becoming more proactive about your health is knowing how to find your BMI. This knowledge will empower you to take the next step to a healthier lifestyle. With these simple instructions, you should be able to determine whether or not you fall within a health range for your age, height and weight.
1. Weigh and measure yourself. You can use your basic bathroom scale and a yardstick or tape measure. You will also need a calculator, pen/pencil and a piece of paper.
2. Take your weight in pounds and multiply it by 703
e.g. 135lbs x 703 = 94905
3. Take your height in inches and multiply that by your height in inches.
e.g. Someone who is 5'4 is 64 inches. 64 x 64 = 4096
4. Then take your results from step 2 and divide that by your results from step 3.
e.g. 94905 (weight x 703) / 4096 ( height in inches x height in inches) = 23.2
5. Determine where your BMI falls.
- Underweight: <18.5
- Normal Weight: 18.5 - 24.9
- Overweight: 25 - 29.9
- Obese: 30 or higher
Someone who is 135lbs and 5'4 has a BMI of 23.2. Their BMI would fall into the normal weight range.
Although there has been some controversy surrounding the accuracy of BMI, the calculations are usually a very good indicator of body fat percentage. However, you should also factor in race, sex and gender when considering your BMI. Also, if an individual is extremely muscular, their BMI could be higher because of the density of muscle compared to fat. This is only in rare cases and generally, BMI is quite precise. Keep in mind, BMI is not the only predictor when trying to determine your risk for certain weight related disease. Waist circumference, family history and other pre-existing conditions should be considered. Anyone with questions regarding their BMI should see their doctor.
