Calculate Your own Body Mass Index

 

Body Mass Index (BMI)

BMI is a term that isn’t completely familiar to everyone. It is short for Body Mass Index. It approaches a standard, and is the common choice for physicians and for research concerning obesity. With a mathematical formula, BMI uses a person’s height and weight for the calculation. Your Body Mass Index is equal to your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared. It is expressed as BMI=kg/m2. In the table below, the risks for disease associated with being overweight or obese are listed based on BMI and waist size for women and men.

Risk of Associated Disease According to BMI and Waist Size
BMI Weight Category Waist less than or equal to 40 inches (men) or 35 inches (women) Waist greater than 40 inches (men) or 35 inches (women)
18.5 or less Underweight N/A N/A
18.5-24.9 Normal N/A N/A
25.0 – 29.9 Overweight Increased High
30.0 – 24.9 Obese High Very High
35.0 – 39.0 Obese Very High Very High
40 or greater Extremely Obese Extremely High Extremely High
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Diseases Associated with being Overweight or Obese:

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)
  • Stroke
  • Liver and Gallbladder disease
  • Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
  • Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)
  • Gynecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility)