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HOW DO YOU CALCULATE BMI?
Click here to try our free online BMI calculator. BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight by their height squared. The resulting number is then compared to a set of standardized categories to determine a person's weight status. For adults, a BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy, a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight and a BMI of 30 or above is considered obese. How To Calculate BMITo calculate BMI, you'll need to know your weight and height. Weight can be measured in pounds (lbs) or kilograms (kg) and height can be measured in inches (in) or meters (m). To calculate BMI, you can use either of the following formulas: Imperial FormulaTo calculate with pounds and inches: Metric FormulaTo calculate with kilograms and meters: For example, if you weigh 68 kilograms and are 1.7 meters tall, your BMI would be calculated as follows: BMI CalculatorsThe easiest way to calculate your BMI is to use an online BMI calculator or a smartphone app to calculate your BMI. For example, you can find our free online BMI Calculator here. These tools will typically ask you to enter your weight and height and will then calculate your BMI for you. BMI calculators are widely available online and can be found on many websites including those of government agencies and health organizations. Some calculators allow users to enter their height and weight in imperial units (inches and pounds), while others require metric units (centimeters and kilograms). Our calculator allows you to use either imperial or metric measurements. To use a BMI calculator, a person simply enters their height and weight and clicks on a button to calculate their BMI. The calculator then displays the resulting BMI and the corresponding weight category. Some calculators also provide additional information, such as the recommended range of BMI for a person's age and gender or tips for maintaining a healthy weight. BMI calculators can be a useful tool for individuals who are interested in monitoring their weight and ensuring that they are at a healthy level. However, it's important to note that BMI is not a perfect measure of body fat and can be misleading in certain situations. For example, BMI does not take into account factors such as muscle mass, bone density and distribution of body fat, which can affect a person's weight and health. Despite these limitations, BMI calculators can still be a useful tool for monitoring weight and promoting healthy habits. It's important to use BMI calculators in conjunction with other measures of body fat, such as skinfold thickness or waist circumference, and to consult with a healthcare provider for a more accurate assessment of weight and health. BMI Results
It's important to note that BMI categories are not the same for everyone and can vary based on factors such as age, gender and ethnicity. For example, older adults may have a higher percentage of body fat but a lower BMI due to age-related muscle loss. Similarly, athletes and bodybuilders may have a high BMI due to their high muscle mass but still be considered healthy. As a result, BMI is not a perfect measure of body fat as it does not take into account factors such as muscle mass or bone density. For example, a person who is heavily muscled may have a higher BMI due to their muscle mass, even though they may have a low body fat percentage. Similarly, a person with a low BMI may have a higher body fat percentage due to a lack of muscle mass. BMI can be useful as a general guide but it's not a substitute for more accurate measures of body fat such as skinfold thickness measurements, bioelectrical impedance or dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Benefits Of Knowing Your BMIThere are many reasons why it's important to know your BMI:
Why It's Important To Use Waist Measurements With BMIWhile BMI can be a useful tool for identifying general trends in population-level weight and health, it has limitations when it comes to assessing an individual's body composition. As discussed previously, one major limitation of BMI is that it does not take into account differences in body shape or distribution of body fat. For example, two individuals who have the same BMI may have very different amounts of body fat and muscle mass. This is because BMI does not distinguish between fat and lean mass, meaning that it's possible for an individual with a high amount of muscle mass to have a higher BMI even though they may be healthy. In contrast, waist measurement provides valuable information about the distribution of body fat, specifically abdominal fat. Abdominal fat, also known as visceral fat, is the fat that surrounds the internal organs in the abdominal cavity. Excess abdominal fat is associated with an increased risk of obesity-related health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. Incorporating waist measurement into the assessment of weight and health can provide a more accurate assessment of an individual's body composition and risk of obesity-related health problems. Some health organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), recommend using waist circumference as an additional measure to BMI for assessing risk of obesity-related health problems. There are several reasons why waist measurement can be a more reliable indicator of health than BMI alone:
It's clear that including waist measurement in the assessment of weight and health can provide a more accurate indicator of body composition and risk of obesity-related health problems, especially for certain high-risk groups. Waist To Height RatioTo calculate waist to height ratio (WHtR), divide your waist measurement by your height. For example, if your waist measures 35 inches and you're 6 feet tall (72 inches), your WHtR would be 0.49. This is within the healthy waist to height range of 0.4 to 0.49, which indicates no increased health risks. On the other hand, a ratio of 0.5 to 0.59 would indicate an increased risk of health issues, while 0.6 or more represents the highest risk. To use waist measurement to modify the BMI calculation, you can use the following formula which includes your WHtR: This modified BMI formula takes into account weight, height and waist circumference, which can provide a more reliable assessment of body fat and the associated health risks. Other FactorsIt's important to remember that BMI is only one factor to consider when assessing your overall health. Other factors such as diet, physical activity and genetics can also play a role in your overall health and well-being. A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, is key to maintaining a healthy weight and reducing the risk of health problems. If you're concerned about your weight or BMI, it's always a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional for guidance and advice. They can help you assess your risk for health problems associated with excess body fat and develop a plan to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. In conclusion, calculating BMI is a simple and convenient way to determine whether you're at a healthy weight for your height. While it's not a perfect measure of body fat, it can be a useful tool for healthcare professionals to assess the health risks associated with being underweight or overweight. By maintaining a healthy BMI, you can help to reduce your risk of developing a range of health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers.
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