Body Mass Index

What is body mass index?

Determining how much you should weigh is not a simple matter of looking at an insurance height-weight chart, but includes considering the amount of bone, muscle, and fat in your body's composition. The amount of fat is the critical measurement.

A good indicator of how much fat you carry is the Body Mass Index (BMI). Although it is not a perfect measure, it gives a fairly accurate assessment of how much of your body is composed of fat.

Use our online index to calculate your BMI:

Or use the formula below, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• English formula BMI = [(weight in pounds) ÷ (height in inches × height in inches)] x 703
• Metric formula BMI = weight in kilograms ÷ (height in meters × height in meters)

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women.

Calculate:
Height:
Weight:

	Your BMI is:
	According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5 is considered underweight. A healthy BMI for adults is between 18.5 and 24.9. BMI ranges are based on what impact body weight has on disease risk and death.
	When interpreting this score, keep in mind that BMI has some limits, including: • Your BMI score may overestimate body fat in athletes and those with a muscular build. • Your BMI score may underestimate body fat in older person or persons who have loss muscle mass. •BMI is not appropriate for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Some government agencies and professional health organizations do not agree on the interpretation of results and the weight classifications listed above. Always consult your physician for additional information regarding your individual health risks and medical history, and to discuss the limitations of BMI.

	Your BMI is:
	According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 24.9 is normal. BMI ranges are based on what impact body weight has on disease risk and death.
	When interpreting this score, keep in mind that BMI has some limits, including: • Your BMI score may overestimate body fat in athletes and those with a muscular build. • Your BMI score may underestimate body fat in older person or persons who have loss muscle mass. •BMI is not appropriate for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Some government agencies and professional health organizations do not agree on the interpretation of results and the weight classifications listed above. Always consult your physician for additional information regarding your individual health risks and medical history, and to discuss the limitations of BMI.

	Your BMI is:
	According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. A healthy BMI for adults is between 18.5 and 24.9. BMI ranges are based on what impact body weight has on disease risk and death.
	When interpreting this score, keep in mind that BMI has some limits, including: • Your BMI score may overestimate body fat in athletes and those with a muscular build. • Your BMI score may underestimate body fat in older person or persons who have loss muscle mass. •BMI is not appropriate for pregnant or breastfeeding women. For persons who are obese or those who are overweight and have additional risk factors (high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, low LDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood glucose, family history of early heart disease, sedentary lifestyle, and cigarette smoking), the National Institute of Heart, Lung, and Blood guidelines recommend weight loss. Even a minimal weight loss (10 percent of current weight) will lower your risk of obesity-related diseases, including: • high blood pressure • high blood cholesterol or other lipid disorders • stroke • heart disease • certain cancers Some government agencies and professional health organizations do not agree on the interpretation of results and the weight classifications listed above. Always consult your physician for additional information regarding your individual health risks and medical history, and to discuss the limitations of BMI.

	Your BMI is:
	According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater is considered obese. A healthy BMI for adults is between 18.5 and 24.9. BMI ranges are based on what impact body weight has on disease risk and death.
	When interpreting this score, keep in mind that BMI has some limits, including: • Your BMI score may overestimate body fat in athletes and those with a muscular build. • Your BMI score may underestimate body fat in older person or persons who have loss muscle mass. •BMI is not appropriate for pregnant or breastfeeding women. For persons who are obese or those who are overweight and have additional risk factors (high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, low LDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood glucose, family history of early heart disease, sedentary lifestyle, and cigarette smoking), the National Institute of Heart, Lung, and Blood guidelines recommend weight loss. Even a minimal weight loss (10 percent of current weight) will lower your risk of obesity-related diseases, including: • high blood pressure • high blood cholesterol or other lipid disorders • stroke • heart disease • certain cancers Some government agencies and professional health organizations do not agree on the interpretation of results and the weight classifications listed above. Always consult your physician for additional information regarding your individual health risks and medical history, and to discuss the limitations of BMI.

Waist Circumference

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), guidelines, assessment of overweight involves three key measures: •body mass index (BMI) •waist circumference •risk factors for obesity-related diseases and conditions, including: - high blood pressure - high blood cholesterol or other lipid disorders - stroke - heart disease - certain cancers - premature death Abdominal fat is another predictor of your risk for heart and other diseases. To measure your waist circumference, place a measuring tape snugly around your waist. A waist circumference measurement of over 40 inches in men and over 35 inches in women increases your risk. Always consult your physician for more information regarding reducing your risk for disease.