What Is BMI Articles | Weight Loss

By: Richard Bleuze

What Is BMI?

BMI stands for body mass index.  BMI is a screening tool used to measure weight relative to height.  BMI has been shown to correlate measures of body fat, such as underwater weighing, and is considered an accurate alternative for body fat measurement.  Below is a simple formula that you can use to calculate your own BMI.

In order to calculate your BMI, you will need to divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared and multiply that by 703.  The formula is:
weight / [height (in inches)]2 x 703

Below is an example to calculate your BMI:

Juanita is 5'5" and weighs 150 pounds.  Thus, if you use the above formula, you will be able to calculate her BMI as follows:

•First, Juanita's hight in inches is 65"
•Juanita then calculates that 65" squared (65 times 65) equals 4,225.
•Next, Juanita divides her weight, 150, by 4,225.
•The resulting number of her BMI is rounded to 24.96.  

Once you find your BMI number, you will then be able to place yourself in one of the following categories:

•Those with a BMI below 18.5 are considered underweight.

•Those with a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 are considered normal weight.

•Those with a BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 are considered overweight

•Those with a BMI of 30.0 and above are considered obese.

Where do you find yourself when you measure your BMI?
 
In addition,  individuals who have a waist size of more than 40 inches for men or 35 inches for women are often considered obese.  Those individuals who are obese usually have a higher risk for obesity-related health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

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