BMI Calculation

From LoveToKnow Diet

Your BMI calculation stands for your body mass index calculation. This is a measurement that compares your height to your weight and gives you an indication of whether you're at a healthy weight for your height. Finding your BMI is easy. You can calculate it yourself or use a free online tool. Knowing your BMI is important as it can tell you if you're overweight or underweight and if you're potentially at risk for certain health conditions.

BMI Calculation

Finding it Yourself

There is a simple formula you can use to find your BMI calculation. It is:

: Multiply your height in meters by itself. Then divide your weight in kilograms by this number. The result is your BMI.

Numerically, the formula looks like this:

: BMI = Weight in Kilograms / Height in Meters * Height in Meters

It's very important that you have accurate data. Take a measuring tape and figure out your exact height and step on your bathroom scale before calculating your BMI. You want to make sure your calculation is up to date and correct.

Free Online Tools

If math simply isn't your strong suit you may prefer to check out one of the many free online tools available for calculating your BMI. All you have to do is input your accurate height and weight and the tool instantly provides you with your BMI. Here are just a few of the free online BMI calculators:

What Your BMI Means

Your BMI will likely be a number between 15 and 40. Here are what the ranges indicate:

A BMI of less than 18 means you are under weight for your height.
A BMI of less than 18.5 indicates you are thin for your height.
A BMI between 18.6 and 24.9 indicates you are at a healthy weight for your height.
A BMI between 25 and 29.9 suggests you are overweight for your height.
A BMI of 30 or greater indicates obesity for your height.

If you are overweight or obese you are at risk for developing one or more of the following diseases associated with obesity:

Additional Risk Factors

Your BMI is only part of the picture of what determines your risk for obesity related diseases. Another major factor is your waist circumference, which is a good indicator of the amount of abdominal fat you have. Finding your waist circumference is easy; simply take a measuring tape and measure the slimmest part of your waist. Your risk of obesity related diseases significantly increase when:

You have a waist circumference over 35 inches and are a woman
You have a waist circumference over 40 inches and are a man.

A measurement above these figures combined with a high BMI puts you at a high risk for chronic obesity related illness. Smaller, but still influential, risk factors include the following:

High blood pressure (hypertension)
High LDL-cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol)
Low HDL-cholesterol ("good" cholesterol)
High triglycerides
High blood glucose (sugar)
Family history of premature heart disease
Physical inactivity
Cigarette smoking

If after reading this you find that your BMI and other risk factors are higher than you'd like, consult your doctor or nutritionist as soon as possible. They can help you get started on a healthy weight loss diet and exercise plan.

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