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BMI CALCULATOR
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What is BMI and How is it calculated?
BMI stands for Body Mass Index, and it is a numerical value that is used to assess whether an individual has a healthy body weight in relation to their height. BMI is a simple and widely used tool for categorizing individuals into different weight categories, such as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. Although BMI is often considered an indicator of body fatness, it is a surrogate measure of body fat because it measures excess weight rather than excess fat. It is used for screening health risks, population health studies, treatment planning, health education and resource allocation. It is calculated using the following formula:
BMI = weight (kg) / (height (m) * height (m))
BMI=
Weight (in Kilograms)
Height2 (in Meters)
BMI Table for Adults:
This is the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended body weight based on BMI values for adults. It is used for both men and women, aged 20 or older. Although some debate continues about whether different categories should exist for specific subgroups (such as Asians), these BMI categories are used worldwide for all adults 20 years and older.
| CLASSIFICATION | BMI RANG-KG/M2 | WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Thinness | <16 | Your Weight Is Lower Than What Is Considered Healthy For Your Height. Underweight Individuals May Be At Risk Of Nutritional Deficiencies And Related Health Issues |
| Moderate Thinness | 16-17 | |
| Mild Thinness | 17-18.5 | |
| Normal | 18.5-25 | Your Weight Is Generally Appropriate For Your Height, And You Are At A Lower Risk Of Obesity-Related Health Problems |
| Overweight | 25-30 | This Indicates A Moderate Level Of Obesity, And Individuals In This Category Have A Higher Risk Of Obesity-Related Health Issues |
| Obese Class 1 | 30-35 | This Indicates A Moderate Level Of Obesity, And Individuals In This Category Have A Higher Risk Of Obesity-Related Health Issues |
| Obese Class 2 | 35-40 | The Health Risks Associated With This Category Are Substantially Higher. |
| Obese Class 3 | >40 | This Represents The Most Severe Form Of Obesity And Carries The Highest Health Risks. |
Extended International Body Mass Index Cut-offs for Asian Body type:
| BMI AROUND | CATEGORY | RISK OF DEVELOPING CO-MORBIDITIES |
|---|---|---|
| <16 | < Thinness Grade 3 | Average (But Risk Of Developing Other Clinical Problems) |
| <17 | Thinness Grade 2 | |
| <18.5 | Thinness Grade 1 | |
| =18.5-22.9 | Normal | Average |
| >23 | Overweight (Unofficial Asian Cut-Off) | Increased |
| >25 | Overweight | Increased |
| >27 | Obesity (unofficial Asian Cut-Off) | Moderate |
| >30 | Obesity | Severe |
| >35 | Morbid Obesity | Severe |
These categories are not specific to any particular region or country. They are used as a global standard for assessing weight-related health risks.
However, it is important to note that while the categories may be the same. What is different is how they are interpreted, their management which may depend on various factors including various cultural norms, genetic predisposition, and healthcare practices which vary in different regions of the world.
Why is BMI Important?
BMI is a simple, inexpensive, and noninvasive surrogate measure of body fat. In contrast to other methods, BMI relies solely on height and weight and with access to the proper equipment, individuals can have their BMI routinely measured and calculated with reasonable accuracy.
Studies have shown that BMI levels correlate with body fat and with future health risks. High BMI predicts future morbidity and death. Therefore, BMI is an appropriate measure for screening for obesity and health risks.
High body-mass index (BMI) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney diseases, diabetes, some cancers, and musculoskeletal disorders.
Some common variables that influence interpretation of BMI:
- On average; older adults tend to have more body fat than younger adults for an equivalent BMI
- On average; women have greater amounts of total body fat than men with an equivalent BMI
- Muscular individuals, or highly trained athletes, may have a high BMI because of increased muscle mass
Limitations of BMIs
Because no single body fat measure clearly distinguishes health from disease or risk of disease, BMI should serve as the initial screening of overweight and obesity for adults. Health care providers should recognize that other factors, such as fat distribution, genetics, and fitness level, contribute to an individual’s assessment of disease risk.
BMI and Ethnicity: People from different ethnic backgrounds may have varying body compositions. For example, individuals of Asian descent may tend to have a higher percentage of body fat at lower BMIs compared to individuals of European descent. This has led some health organizations to use lower BMI cutoffs for Asians to define overweight and obesity. Health risks associated with obesity can also vary by ethnicity. Some ethnic groups may be at a higher risk of obesity-related health conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, at lower BMIs. Adjusting BMI cutoffs for specific populations can help identify individuals at greater risk.
BMI vs Waist-Hip Ratio
| BMI | Waist-Hip Ratio |
|---|---|
| An General Health Indicator Of Overall Body Weight Relative To Height. | An Assessment Of The Distribution Of Body Fat That Compares Circumference Of Waist To That Of Hips. |
| Commonly Used To Assess General Obesity And Weight-Related Health Risks | Commonly Used To Evaluate Central Obesity Where Excess Fat Is Concentrated Around The Abdominal Area. |
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✅ Straight Forward And Easy To Calculate
✅ Suitable For Large Scale Population Health Assessments
✅ Offers A General Picture Of Overall Weight Status
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✅ Help Individuals With An “Apple-Shaped” Body Type, Linked To A Higher Risk Of Health Problems
✅ Can Provide More Information About Fat Distribution Than BMI
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❌ Does Not Consider Body Composition (Muscle Vs Fat), Fat Distribution
❌ Does Not Assess Fat Deposits In Body
❌ May Misclassify Individuals With High Muscle Mass As Overweight, Or Obese
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❌ Does Not Account For Overall Body Weight Or Total Body Fat
❌ Does Not Give Individual’s Comprehensive Assessment/Weight Status
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