Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. Generally if your BMI is between 20 – 25 you’re considered not be over weight.
Body Mass Index Formula in Pounds and Inches
Your Weight (in pounds) x 704.5 divided by Your Height (in inches) x Your Height (in inches)
Body Mass Index Formula in kilos
Your Weight (in kilos) divided by Your Height (in Meters) squared, OR
Your Weight / (Your Height)2
| Underweight |
under 18.5 |
| Normal |
18.5 - 24.9 |
| Overweight |
25.0 - 29.9 |
| Obese 1 |
above 30.0 - 34.9 |
| Obese 2 |
above 35 - 39.9 |
| Extreme Obesity |
40+ |
However, what if you carry a lot of muscle, like in my case I weigh 260lbs at 6 feet my BMI reading is about 35, according to the charts I’m obese, how can this be if my body fat is 10%? With my clients I use two types of formulas, the BMI and Waist Circumference (WC), this way I get a clearer picture.
By using both the Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference (WC) I can determine if you’re over weight and increased risk for various health problems. WC can be useful for those people categorized as normal or overweight in terms of BMI. (For example, an athlete with increased muscle mass may have a BMI greater than 25 - making him or her overweight on the BMI scale - but a WC measurement would most likely indicate that he or she is, in fact, not overweight, therefore notbe at risk for health problems.
To find your WC, locate the upper hip bone and place a measuring tape around the abdomen (ensuring that the tape measure is horizontal). The tape measure should not be tight or to loose. The following chart should be helpful in determining the possible risks associated with your BMI and WC.
|
|
|
Disease Risk* Relative to Normal Weight and Waist Circumference |
|
BMI
(kg/m 2) |
Obesity
Class |
Men 102 cm (40 in) or less
Women 88 cm (35 in) or less |
Men > 102 cm (40 in)
Women > 88 cm (35 in) |
Underweight |
< 18.5 |
|
- |
- |
Normal |
18.5 - 24.9 |
|
- |
- |
Overweight |
25.0 - 29.9 |
|
Increased |
High |
Obesity |
30.0 - 34.9 |
I |
High |
Very High |
|
35.0 - 39.9 |
II |
Very High |
Very High |
Extreme Obesity |
40.0 + |
III |
Extremely High |
Extremely High |
