Body Mass Index, or BMI, is one of several possible ways to establish ideal weight and determine if the risk for health complications due to obesity. In addition to Body Mass Index, you may use waist to hip ratio or body fat percentage to establish parameters for your ideal weight.
How do you calculate Body Mass Index?
BMI is a measurement of your weight in comparison to your height. In general, a person who is taller should weigh more than a person who is shorter. Take your weight in pounds times 703. Divide that by the square of your height in inches.
For example, let’s look at a 6ft tall person weighing 190 pounds.
190 (weight) x 703 = 133570
72 x 72 (height in inches squared) = 5184
133570 / 5184 = 25.76
The body mass index for a 6ft tall person weighing 190 lbs. would be 25.76.
What is a healthy Body Mass Index?
Most experts agree that a healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 25. A person with a BMI over 30 is considered clinically obese and at high risk for a myriad of health complications.
Is BMI the best measurement for ideal weight?
The body mass index is a very simple measurement that does not take into account waist, chest or hip measurements, bone density, or muscle mass. It is generally believed to be an inferior measurement compared to waist to hip ratio or body fat percentage tests.