BMI Calculator
BODY MASS INDEX, BMI:
Body mass index,
BMI, is only an indirect measurement of body fat.
For scientific research purposes there are more
accurate methods of measuring what percent of a
body's weight is composed of fat such as
hydrodensitometry (underwater weighing) and
dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Physical
measurements such as waist and hip circumferences
and skin fold thickness in the back of the elbow
are also used.
The BMI happens to
be the most commonly used measurement in
epidemiologic studies and for middle-aged men and
women, it correlates over 90% with fat mass
densitometry. For older adults who tend to have
less muscle mass proportionally, it loses some of
its accuracy as an absolute measurement. The BMI
is also called the Quetelet index and is
calculated by the weight in kilograms divided by
the square of the height in meters. While it does
not distinguish fat mass from lean or muscle
mass, it is a very useful approximation to what
one should weigh depending on height.
Definition
of overweight or obesity:
While BMI is not
the perfect measurement for assessing increased
body fat, it is the most easily obtained
measurement that has a high correlation with
percent of body fat so most of the standards are
set using BMI. Even though there can be some
increased health risks within the upper limits of
the normal range, various groups such as the
World Health Organization, the American Institute
of Nutrition and the International Obesity task
force, among others have given some guidelines.
| Weight Category Definitions |
|
Classification BMI Body Mass
Index |
| Underweight |
|
less than 18.5 |
| Normal |
|
18.5 - 24.9 |
| Overweight |
|
25.0 - 29.9 |
| Obesity |
|
30.0 - 39.9 |
| Extreme Obesity |
|
40.0 and greater |
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