How is Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated? - Body Mass Index (BMI) - Sharecare Body Mass Index (BMI) Topics | Wellness | Weight Loss | Body Mass Index (BMI) | How is Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated? A Answers (18) A Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered If you want to calculate your BMI, the formula for doing so is relatively easy: Convert your weight in pounds to your weight in kilograms by dividing your weight in pounds by 2.2. Convert your height in inches to your height in meters by multiplying your height in inches -- not feet -- by 0.0254. (If you are 5 feet tall, your height is 60 inches, or 1.52 meters. If you are 6 feet tall, your height is 72 inches, or 1.83 meters.) Square your height in meters (that is, multiply your height in meters by itself). Divide your weight in kilograms by the number you obtained in the previous step. Find out more about this book: A Dr. Lawrence J.

Cheskin, MD , Internal Medicine, answered on behalf of Johns Hopkins Medicine The formula for BMI is in metric units: kilograms per meter-squared. If you don’t want to convert your height and weight to metric, there are multiple calculators on the web to use, or you can use the following non-metric formula: 704 times (X) pounds of body weight, divided by height in inches-squared. The same formula is used for adult men and women of any age, but children are graphed on a different chart, and BMI is expressed as a percentile for that age or height. Helpful? 2 people found this helpful. A Barbara Ficarra, RN , Nursing, answered BMI (Body Mass Index) is calculated the same way for both children and adults. Formula: Weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703 Calculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) squared and multiplying by a conversion factor of 703.

Example: Weight = 150 lbs, Height = 5'5"" (65"") Calculation: [150 ÷ (65)2] x 703 = 24.96 [Source: CDC] To calculate your Body mass Index (BMI) divide your weight (in pounds) by your height (in inches) x your height (in inches) and then multiply by 703. For example, if you are 5'5" (65 inches) and weigh 130lbs your BMI woud be: (130 divided by 65 x 65) x 703 = 21.6 Therefore, a person who is 5'5" tall and weighs 130lbs would have a BMI of 21.6. Helpful? 10 people found this helpful. A Joane Goodroe , Nursing, answered Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a reliable indicator of body fatness based on your height and weight, and places you in one of three categories: normal, overweight or obese. Free BMI App - A new smartphone app from the National Institutes of Health can let your phone tell you.

To get the free app, search “My BMI Calculator” on your phone today. Helpful? 1 person found this helpful. A Brigham and Womens Hospital Team , Administration, answered on behalf of Brigham and Women's Hospital Body mass index, or BMI, is a more accurate measure of overweight than weight alone for both women and men. First you calculate your weight in kilograms (1 kilogram equals 2.2 pounds) and then divide it by your height in meters squared (1 meter equals 39.37 inches). A healthy BMI is less than 25. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. A BMI of 30 and above is obese, which corresponds, for example, to someone who is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 186 pounds. A Penn Medicine answered BMI, or Body Mass Index, is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. To find out your BMI, divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches multiplied by your height in inches. Take that number and multiply it by 703.

﻿﻿= mass(lb) / (height(in))² x 703 A BMI of less than 18.5 is considered “underweight.” A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered “normal weight.” A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered “overweight.” A BMI of 30 or greater is considered “obese.” Morbid obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of more than 40. For men that equates to approximately 100 pounds overweight for women, 80 pounds overweight. A RealAge answered Your weight and height are measured. Then, your weight is converted to kilograms, and your height is converted to meters and then squared. Your BMI is calculated by dividing your body weight (in kilograms) by your height (in meters squared). The resulting number represents your BMI. Helpful? 1 person found this helpful. A Discovery Health answered Body Mass Index can be calculated in the inches and pounds of the English measuring system (common in the United States) or the meters and kilograms of the metric system (common almost everywhere else).

In both cases, determining the result for adults first requires dividing the weight by the square of the height. For metric measurements, nothing else is required. For pounds and inches, the result must be multiplied by 703 to yield the final answer. Here are examples. A person who weighs 180 pounds and is 5 feet 8 inches tall has a BMI of 27.4. That's 180 divided by 68 times 68, multiplied by 703. A person who weighs 99.79 kilograms and is 1.905 meters (190.50 centimeters) tall has a BMI of 27.5. That's 99.79 divided by 190.5 times 190.5. A Eric Olsen , Fitness, answered You can calculate your own body mass index using the following formula: your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters, squared. This formula is less daunting than it appears. To figure your BMI, follow these steps: 1. Weigh yourself without your clothes. Divide your weight in pounds by 2.2 to get your weight in kilograms.

If you weigh 190 pounds: 190 ÷ 2.2 = 86 kilograms. 2. Measure yourself without your shoes. Then divide your height in inches by 39.4 to determine your height in meters. For example, if you are 5 feet 10 inches tall, you are 70 inches tall and your height in meters is 70 ÷ 39.4 = 1.78 meters. A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered To determine your Body Mass Index (BMI) you must know your weight and your height. Watch this video demonstration of a BMI calculation. Helpful? 5 people found this helpful. A Wendy Batts , Fitness, answered on behalf of Sharecare Fitness Body Mass Index (or BMI) is calculated with a formula that uses your height and weight. You can either use meters and kilograms, or inches and pounds. Let’s walk through the one that uses inches and pounds.

For inches and pounds the formula is: [weight in lbs ÷ (height in inches)2] x 703 Divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared, and then multiply that answer by 703. For example if someone is 5’5” (65”) and 150 lbs the calculation would look like the following: [150/(65)2] x 703 = 24.96 A Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered Determine your weight, in pounds. Divide that number by the square of your height in inches. Multiply by 703. That is your body mass index. If you prefer the metric system, divide your weight in kilograms by height in meters, and you're done. Helpful? 7 people found this helpful. A Scripps Health answered Body mass index (BMI) is calculated as a person’s weight in kilograms, divided by height in meters squared. BMI is not perfect -- for example, a pro athlete with very high muscle mass may have a high BMI without being overweight -- but for the general population, it is a good guideline.

Body Mass Index calculator using person's weight and height Body Mass Index or BMI = (weight in kilograms) ÷ (height in meters)² ≈ 703 × (weight in pounds) ÷ (height in inches)² About this Body Mass Index calculator Reference: 1. Sher L. Body Mass Index and Health ( 2. Validity of body mass index compared with other body-composition screening indexes for the assessment of body fatness in children and adolescents. Mei Z, Grummer-Strawn LM, Pietrobelli A, Goulding A, Goran MI, Dietz WH. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2002 Jun;75(6):978—85. 3. Quetelet's index (W/H2) as a measure of fatness. Garrow JS, Webster J. International Journal of Obesity 1985;9:147—153 DISCLAIMER: THE BODY MASS INDEX CALCULATOR PROVIDES GENERAL REFERENCE INFORMATION TO OPTIMIZE YOUR DIET AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE PROGRAM AND IS NOT INTENDED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR CONSULTING WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS.

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO CONSULT WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS BEFORE YOU CHANGE YOUR DIET OR START TO EXERCISE. Foods, Nutrients and Calories Infant formula, MEAD JOHNSON, ENFAMIL, low iron, powder, not reconstituted contain(s) 511 calories per 100 grams or ≈3.527 ounces [ calories | price ] Gravels and Substrates Sand, Live density is equal to 2114 kg/m³ or 131.973 lb/ft³ with specific gravity of 2.114 relative to pure water. Calculate how much of this gravel is required to attain a specific depth in a cylinder , quarter cylinder or in a rectangular shaped aquarium or pond Materials and Substances Argentum weigh(s) 10.49 gram per (cubic centimeter) or 6.064 ounce per (cubic inch) [ weight to volume | volume to weight | density ] What is decihertz?

A decihertz (dHz) is a SI-multiple (see prefix deci ) of the frequency unit hertz and equal to 0.1 hertz. read more... » What is area measurement? The area measurement was introduced to measure surface of a two-dimensional object. For example, size of a piece of land, bounded by some curve, is measured by its area. read more... » About Adult BMI | Healthy Weight | CDC About Adult BMI To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: Enter Email Address What are the health consequences of obesity for adults? What is BMI? BMI is a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI is moderately correlated with more direct measures of body fat obtained from skinfold thickness measurements, bioelectrical impedance, densitometry (underwater weighing), dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and other methods 1,2,3. Furthermore, BMI appears to be as strongly correlated with various metabolic and disease outcome as are these more direct measures of body fatness 4,5,6,7,8,9.

In general, BMI is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight category, for example underweight, normal or healthy weight, overweight, and obesity. Adult BMI Calculator How is BMI used? A high BMI can be an indicator of high body fatness. BMI can be used as a screening tool but is not diagnostic of the body fatness or health of an individual. To determine if a high BMI is a health risk, a healthcare provider would need to perform further assessments. These assessments might include skinfold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical activity, family history, and other appropriate health screenings10. What are the BMI trends for adults in the United States? The prevalence of adult BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (obese status) has greatly increased since the 1970s. Recently, however, this trend has leveled off, except for older women. Obesity has continued to increase in adult women who are age 60 years and older. To learn more about the trends of adult obesity, visit Adult Obesity Facts . Top of Page Why is BMI used to measure overweight and obesity? BMI can be used for population assessment of overweight and obesity.

Because calculation requires only height and weight, it is inexpensive and easy to use for clinicians and for the general public. BMI can be used as a screening tool for body fatness but is not diagnostic. To see the formula based on either kilograms and meters or pounds and inches, visit How is BMI calculated? Top of Page What are some of the other ways to assess excess body fatness besides BMI? Other methods to measure body fatness include skinfold thickness measurements (with calipers), underwater weighing, bioelectrical impedance, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and isotope dilution 1,2,3. However, these methods are not always readily available, and they are either expensive or need to be conducted by highly trained personnel. Furthermore, many of these methods can be difficult to standardize across observers or machines, complicating comparisons across studies and time periods. Top of Page How is BMI calculated? BMI is calculated the same way for both adults and children. The calculation is based on the following formulas: Measurement Units Kilograms and meters (or centimeters) Formula: weight (kg) / [height (m)]2 With the metric system, the formula for BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.

Because height is commonly measured in centimeters, divide height in centimeters by 100 to obtain height in meters. Example: Weight = 68 kg, Height = 165 cm (1.65 m) Calculation: 68 ÷ (1.65)2 = 24.98 Pounds and inches Formula: weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703 Calculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) squared and multiplying by a conversion factor of 703. Example: Weight = 150 lbs, Height = 5'5" (65") Calculation: [150 ÷ (65)2] x 703 = 24.96 Top of Page How is BMI interpreted for adults? For adults 20 years old and older, BMI is interpreted using standard weight status categories. These categories are the same for men and women of all body types and ages. The standard weight status categories associated with BMI ranges for adults are shown in the following table.

BMI 30.0 and Above Obese For example, here are the weight ranges, the corresponding BMI ranges, and the weight status categories for a person who is 5' 9". Height 125 lbs to 168 lbs 18.5 to 24.9 169 lbs to 202 lbs 25.0 to 29.9 For children and teens, the interpretation of BMI depends upon age and sex. For more information about interpretation for children and teens, read - What is a BMI percentile and how is it interpreted? Is BMI interpreted the same way for children and teens as it is for adults? BMI is interpreted differently for children and teens, even though it is calculated using the same formula as adult BMI. Children and teen's BMI need to be age and sex-specific because the amount of body fat changes with age and the amount of body fat differs between girls and boys. The CDC BMI-for-age growth charts take into account these differences and visually show BMI as a percentile ranking. These percentiles were determined using representative data of the U.S.

population of 2- to 19-year-olds that was collected in various surveys from 1963-65 to 1988-9411. Obesity among 2- to 19-year-olds is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile of children of the same age and sex in this 1963 to 1994 reference population. For example, a 10-year-old boy of average height (56 inches) who weighs 102 pounds would have a BMI of 22.9 kg/m2. This would place the boy in the 95th percentile for BMI - meaning that his BMI is greater than that of 95% of similarly aged boys in this reference population - and he would be considered to have obesity. For more information and to access the CDC Growth Charts For adults, the interpretation of BMI does not depend on sex or age. Read more about interpreting adult BMI . Top of Page How good is BMI as an indicator of body fatness?

The correlation between the BMI and body fatness is fairly strong1,2,3,7, but even if 2 people have the same BMI, their level of body fatness may differ12. In general, At the same BMI, women tend to have more body fat than men. At the same BMI, Blacks have less body fat than do Whites13,14, and Asians have more body fat than do Whites15 At the same BMI, older people, on average, tend to have more body fat than younger adults. At the same BMI, athletes have less body fat than do non-athletes. The accuracy of BMI as an indicator of body fatness also appears to be higher in persons with higher levels of BMI and body fatness16. While, a person with a very high BMI (e.g., 35 kg/m2) is very likely to have high body fat, a relatively high BMI can be the results of either high body fat or high lean body mass (muscle and bone). A trained healthcare provider should perform appropriate health assessments in order to evaluate an individual's health status and risks.

Top of Page If an athlete or other person with a lot of muscle has a BMI over 25, is that person still considered to be overweight? According to the BMI weight status categories, anyone with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 would be classified as overweight and anyone with a BMI over 30 would be classified as obese. However, athletes may have a high BMI because of increased muscularity rather than increased body fatness. In general, a person who has a high BMI is likely to have body fatness and would be considered to be overweight or obese, but this may not apply to athletes. A trained healthcare provider should perform appropriate health assessments in order to evaluate an individual's health status and risks. Top of Page What are the health consequences of obesity for adults? People who are obese are at increased risk for many diseases and health conditions, including the following: 10, 17, 18 All-causes of death (mortality) Mental illness such as clinical depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders21,22 Body pain and difficulty with physical functioning23 For more information about these and other health problems associated with obesity, visit Health Effects Top of Page References 1Garrow, J.S.

& Webster, J., 1985. Quetelet’s index (W/H2) as a measure of fatness. Int. J. Obes., 9(2), pp.147–153. 2Freedman, D.S., Horlick, M. & Berenson, G.S., 2013. A comparison of the Slaughter skinfold-thickness equations and BMI in predicting body fatness and cardiovascular disease risk factor levels in children. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 98(6), pp.1417–24. 3Wohlfahrt-Veje, C. et al., 2014. Body fat throughout childhood in 2647 healthy Danish children: agreement of BMI, waist circumference, skinfolds with dual X-ray absorptiometry. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr., 68(6), pp.664–70. 4Steinberger, J. et al., 2005. Comparison of body fatness measurements by BMI and skinfolds vs dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and their relation to cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents. Int.

J. Obes., 29(11), pp.1346–1352. 5Sun, Q. et al., 2010. Comparison of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometric and anthropometric measures of adiposity in relation to adiposity-related biologic factors. Am. J. Epidemiol., 172(12), pp.1442–1454. 6Lawlor, D.A. et al., 2010. Association between general and central adiposity in childhood, and change in these, with cardiovascular risk factors in adolescence: prospective cohort study. BMJ, 341, p.c6224. 7Flegal, K.M. & Graubard, B.I., 2009. Estimates of excess deaths associated with body mass index and other anthropometric variables. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 89(4), pp.1213–1219. 8Freedman, D.S. et al., 2009.

Relation of body mass index and skinfold thicknesses to cardiovascular disease risk factors in children: the Bogalusa Heart Study. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 90(1), pp.210–216. 9Willett, K. et al., 2006. Comparison of bioelectrical impedance and BMI in predicting obesity-related medical conditions. Obes. (Silver Spring), 14(3), pp.480–490. 11Kuczmarski, R.J. et al., 2002. 2000 CDC Growth Charts for the United States: methods and development. Vital Health Stat. 11., 11(246), pp.1–190. 12Prentice, A.M. & Jebb, S.A., 2001. Beyond body mass index. Obes. Rev., 2(3), pp.141–7. 13Wagner, D.R. & Heyward, V.H., 2000. Measures of body composition in blacks and whites: a comparative review. Am. J. Clin.

Nutr., 71(6), pp.1392–1402. 14Flegal, K.M. et al., 2010. High adiposity and high body mass index-for-age in US children and adolescents overall and by race-ethnic group. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 91(4), pp.1020–6. 15Barba, C. et al., 2004. Appropriate body-mass index for Asian populations and its implications for policy and intervention strategies. Lancet, 363(9403), pp.157–163. 16Bray, G.A. et al., 2001. Evaluation of body fat in fatter and leaner 10-y-old African American and white children: the Baton Rouge Children’s Study. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 73(4), pp.687–702. 17 Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults [PDF - 1.25MB] .

18Bhaskaran K, Douglas I, Forbes H, dos-Santos-Silva I, Leon DA, Smeeth L. Body-mass index and risk of 22 specific cancers: a population-based cohort study of 5•24 million UK adults. Lancet. 2014 Aug 30;384(9945):755-65. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60892-8. Epub 2014 Aug 13. 19Engstrom G, Hedblad B, Stavenow L, Lind P, Janzon L and Lingarde F. Inflammation- sensitive plasma proteins are associated with future weight gain. Diabetes. Aug 2003; 52(08): 2097-101. 20Marseglia L, Manti S, D’Angelo G, Nicotera A, Parisi E, DiRosa G, Gitto E, Arrigo T. Oxidative stress in obesity: a critical component in human diseases.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Dec 2014; 16(1):378-400. 21Kasen, Stephanie, et al. "Obesity and psychopathology in women: a three decade prospective study." International Journal of Obesity 32.3 (2008): 558-566. 22Luppino, Floriana S., et al. "Overweight, obesity, and depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies." Archives of general psychiatry 67.3 (2010): 220-229. 23Han, T. S., et al. "Quality of life in relation to overweight and body fat distribution." American Journal of Public Health 88.12 (1998): 1814-1820. Body Mass Index (BMI) Body Fat Chart *BMI facts medical author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD BMI stands for body mass index. BMI is calculated by a formula that takes into account both a person's height and weight. BMI is reported as weight in kilograms (kg) divided by height in meters squared (m2).

BMI is useful in classification of obesity , overweight , and healthy weight. Obesity is generally defined as a BMI of 30 or greater, while healthy weight for adults refers to a BMI of at least 19 and less than 25. A BMI of 40 or more is often used to identify people who are extremely obese and at risk for serious health complications of obesity. What is BMI? Body mass index, or BMI, is a new term to most people. However, it is the measurement of choice for many physicians and researchers studying obesity. BMI uses a mathematical formula that takes into account both a person's height and weight. BMI equals a person's weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m2). What is a healthy weight? It is important to understand what "healthy weight" means. Healthy weight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 19 and less than 25 among all people aged 20 or over. Generally, obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 30, which approximates 30 pounds of excess weight. Excess weight also places people at risk of developing serious health problems.

BMI chart for weight and height The table below has already done the math and metric conversions. To use the table, find the appropriate height in the left-hand column. Move across the row to the given weight. The number at the top of the column is the BMI for that height and weight. BMI BMI not a good measure of healthy body weight, researchers argue | Fox News BMI not a good measure of healthy body weight, researchers argue Published August 23, 2013 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Email Print When it comes to defining what body weight is considered healthy, one type of measurement does not fit all, some scientists say. Body mass index is the standard metric for determining who is normal-weight, overweight and obese, but BMI is not an accurate measure of fat, and doesn't explain the causes of poor health, scientists argue in an editorial in the journal Science. Obesity can be a major risk for diabetes, heart disease and death, yet paradoxically, some studies suggest being overweight can improve survival of chronic diseases. "Most studies depend on BMI, and we know it's not a very accurate measure," said Dr. Rexford Ahima, a medical professor at the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, and co-author of the editorial.

[ 8 Reasons Our Waistlines Are Expanding ] A person's BMI is calculated as her weight in kilograms divided by her height in meters, squared. A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered "normal," a BMI of 25 to 25.9 is "overweight," and a BMI greater than 30 is "obese." People with BMIs higher than 30 are at an increased risk of dying from heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other diseases, many studies have shown. But several recent studies suggest that in some cases, a high BMI could actually protect a person from dying of heart failure, kidney failure and other chronic diseases. When someone has a chronic illness, having more fat could possibly provide additional energy reserves. And in some cases, a low BMI may be a result of a person having an illness. The health risks and benefits of obesity have generated "a lot of sniping back and forth between different groups of researchers," Ahima said. The problem stems from the fact that BMI is an inaccurate measure of health, Ahima said. For one thing, BMI doesn't take into account fat, and it doesn't indicate where fat is distributed on the body.

Belly fat (fat around the abdominal organs) increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease and death, whereas peripheral fat (fat beneath the skin elsewhere in the body) may be more innocuous, studies suggest. BMI also fails to account for differences in race, gender and age. So why is the measurement so widely used? "Because it's simple," Ahima said, adding that it's easy to weigh people and measure their height. For most people, BMI provides a "reasonable measure" of body fat, but is not accurate for athletes (who weigh more because of muscle) or older people who have lost height, he said. Other methods of measuring body fat also have their pros and cons. CT and MRI scans can accurately measure body fat, but are usually very expensive. DEXA scans, normally used to measure bone density, can also be used to measure body fat, but are costly as well. Measuring levels of the hormone leptin can also be an indicator of body fat. There's no single number that can represent a healthy weight, Ahima said. It depends on starting weight, genetics and gender, among other factors. Obesity is a complex disorder — it's not just having too much fat, he said.

It's important to consider fat in relation to the amount of muscle. And scientists need to start looking more closely at cause-and-effect in body fat and disease, Ahima said. "What is it about being obese that makes one unhealthy or healthy? We need to understand the molecular mechanisms." Copyright 2013 LiveScience, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Related: How much should I weigh? - Weight Guidelines - Sharecare How much should I weigh? Topics | Wellness | Weight Loss | Weight Guidelines | How much should I weigh? A Answers (5) A Dr. Thomas J. Hill, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered on behalf of Mercy Health You should weigh an amount equivalent to a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or less. BMI is your weight (in Kg) divided by height (in meters squared). Normal weight is a BMI of 25 or less. If you are unfamiliar with your numbers, your doctor can provide them to you. If your numbers aren’t where they should be, ask your doctor how to get them there.

Trinity Health recognizes that people seek medical information on a variety of topics for a variety of reasons. Trinity Health does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. As a Catholic health care organization, Trinity Health acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition. Please note, the information contained on this website is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider if you have questions regarding your medical condition or before starting any new treatment. In the event of a medical emergency always call 911 or proceed to your nearest emergency care facility. A dotFIT answered Factors such as age, height, sex and degree of musculature can all have an impact on what a comfortable, healthy weight for you should be. There is a formula called the Hamwi Formula that can estimate body weight. It is as follows: Men: 106 lb + 6 lb for every inch over 60 in. Women: 100 + 5 lb for every inch over 60 in Add 10% if you have a large frame, subtract 10% if you have a small frame.

This can give a rough idea, but ultimately, you should maintain a weight that is comfortable and healthy. On average you should not fluctuate much above or below. Weighing yourself daily can help you maintain your weight. If you see a trend of the scale going up, take action to reduce calories or increase activity…or both. Helpful? 3 people found this helpful. A Natural Medicines answered Ideal body weight (IBW) is the weight that people are expected to weigh based on age, sex, and height. The ideal body weight today is used as a tool to calculate the dosage of most medications. There are two different formulas to determine ideal body weight; one formula for men and another for women. The history of the formulas for calculating ideal body weight began in 1871 when Dr. Broca (a French surgeon) created the formula known as Broca's index. An unknown person translated Broca's formula into pounds and inches and modified it to create a formula called the simple rule. In 1974, Dr. Devine converted the simple rule from pounds to kilograms and published that formula for medical use.

The Devine formula was intended for use to calculate the dosage of certain medications such as gentamicin, digoxin and theophylline. However, after its publication, the formula became much more widely used and became the most commonly used formula. In 1983, Dr. Robinson published a modification of the Devine formula; this contemporary modification is still in use today to calculate the dosage of most medications. The ideal body weight calculator was discredited by all major medical institutions as a tool for measuring obesity and malnourishment in the last quarter of the 20th Century. The tool did not account for the nutritional needs of patients, especially women, when it was devised. The Devine IBW formula suggests ideal body weight values that may be too low in women, and impossibly low in shorter women. A limitation of the Robinson and Miller formulas are that they give low calculations in taller men. Today Dr. Robinson's ideal body weight calculator is used for medication dosing. The tool is not used to measure rates of obesity or for a clinical diagnosis of obesity. Other tools of medication dosing may surpass the ideal body weight calculator in the future. You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified healthcare provider.

Natural Standard information does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For more information visit A Mrs. Marjorie Nolan Cohn , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics There is no one-size-fits-all way to determine weight. The healthiest weight for anyone is based on a combination of variables such as, gender, age, bone density/structure, body build, muscle mass, generics, and personal preference. The rule of thumb for a healthy adults is: Women is 100 pounds for the first 5 feet and 5 pounds for every additional inch, or minus 5 pounds for every inch under 5 feet. Men is 106 pounds for the first 5 feet and 6 pounds every additional inch, or minus 6 pounds for every inch under 5 feet. Helpful? 2 people found this helpful. A National Academy of Sports Medicine answered There is not exactly an ideal weight for everyone. Your specific healthy weight goal will depend on several variables such as height, gender, and body type or composition. When using a scale as indicator of health, there is ability to differentiate between lean body mass (muscle, bone, and organs) and fat.

Many times people fixate on the number on the scale and forget that overall health is much more important. It is possible to be a “fat, skinny person.” This is not a technical term, but it represents someone who is not overweight but has a high body fat percentage. It is always important to take body fat storage into consideration when weighing yourself. For example, let’s say you are 5 feet tall, weigh 140 pounds, and have 10% body fat. This equates to 126 pounds of lean body mass and 12 pounds of fat. This represents a healthy, athletic male (or maybe a female who is barely containing enough essential fat). On the other hand, if you are 5 feet tall, weigh 140 pounds, and have 30% body fat, you are carrying only 98 pounds of lean body mass and 42 pounds of fat! This represents an obese male or a female who is on the borderline between overweight and obese classifications. Being obese not only feels uncomfortable, but it also increases the risk of diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Body mass index (BMI) is another measurement to consider when determining your ideal weight.

To determine the BMI for an individual who is 5 feet tall and weighs 140 pounds, take the weight in pounds (140) and multiply by 703, then divide by this result by the height in inches squared (3600). This calculation comes out to approximately 27. A BMI of 27 is considered overweight and inidcates the person is at a moderate risk for obesity-related diseases. Much like just using a scale, BMI does not differentiate between lean body mass and fat mass. Helpful? 7 people found this helpful. This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs. Videos (6) Body fat calculator - What's your score? - BBC News Body fat calculator - What's your score? 12 July 2012 Read more about sharing. Close share panel The new BBC calculator can tell you if you are a healthy weight for your height and how you rank against others globally.

Using your age, sex, nationality, height and weight, it will come up with a number representing your Body Mass Index or BMI. This is a measure doctors use to gauge obesity. The app plots your BMI and shows how you compare to people from your own and other nations. Researchers see global weight gain as a bigger threat to mankind than population growth. As well as the health implications, experts are also concerned about the environmental impact. The adult human population has a combined weight of 287,000,000 tonnes, researchers say. Increasing obesity could have the same impact on global resources as an extra billion people, they believe. We asked five people on the streets of London to give the app a go. Ran Carmon, 32, from Israel: Weight 80kg, Height 1.84m = BMI 24 App rating: Most like average person from Morocco Image copyright Phil Coomes "I was happy to hear I am in the normal range. I kind of knew that. I try and keep fit and eat healthily. I have sort of heard of the BMI, but didn't really pay much attention to it. But now I know the ranges, its really useful information to know.

"Now I will be more mindful of my weight and keep an eye on BMI. "It's a really cool thing, I guess. Will I use this site? Not sure. Now I know my BMI and it's OK, would I want to use it again? Well, I will check in from time to time, I guess. "This information is not going to change my eating habits drastically. But this information is good to know and I will share this with my friends and get them to use the site." BMI Michelle Laverty, 43, from the US, on holiday in London: Weight 220lb, Height 5ft 4in = BMI 38 App rating: Most like an average person from Tonga Image copyright Phil Coomes "Wow, I was shocked to see how high my BMI was. I'm aware I'm overweight. I guess I hadn't given it that much thought and thought about it globally. Its interesting that I am like someone from Tonga. Goodness, imagine that. "I've heard about BMI and its good to know what mine is. I should lose weight and when I do I will use this site to see how I stand globally. I think that's the most interesting part.

"I will change my diet now I know my BMI, but I will not be thinking of it while I'm in London on vacation. "Yes, I will tell my friends about this site and my daughter especially." Tia Roquaa, from the UK: Weight 10 stone 7lb: Height 5ft 7in = BMI 23 App rating: Most like an average person from Austria Image copyright Phil Coomes "I am really happy to know what my BMI is and I'm like an Austrian. They are chic, aren't they? I am surprised I have a BMI of 23 as I always want to be 7lb lighter. "I know about BMI as when I was younger I was considered overweight. "It's good for me to know I'm not overweight. It makes me feel happy and I want to maintain this healthy weight. I want to remain healthy. "This is good and useful information. I have used similar ones before on various health websites when I've tried to lose weight.

I will not change my eating habits a huge amount considering I'm average, but knowing this information makes me conscious of my health and still want to lose 7lb." Geraldo Chichurra, 48, from Brazil, lives in London: Weight 90kg, Height 1.79m = 28 App rating: Most like an average person from Albania Image copyright Phil Coomes "I didn't think I was really overweight. I've put on 5kg recently. I have a very physical job - I carry a lot of heavy stuff so I feel I am very muscular. I have a lot of muscle and I know that weighs a lot. "I guess I am a bit overweight anyway. This tells me I am and I need to take care of myself. I have to take care of what I eat. I eat a lot I think. But I eat a lot of fruit and vegetables as well. "This is very interesting and is good to know how you are, so you can take care of your body and not have heart attacks and high blood pressure. "I will change the way I eat a bit and I will tell people about this site.

It's made me think a little about my health." Armaan Seraj Choudhury, 16, from Bangladesh, on holiday in London: Weight 105kg, Height 6ft 3in = BMI 29 App rating: Most like an average person from Croatia Image copyright Phil Coomes "I know I was a little overweight, but I thought it would be a larger figure. I was so surprised that I was like someone from Croatia. Yes, it makes sense to know your BMI. It makes sense to know about your weight. "It's a useful tool and it will make me think about losing a bit of weight in the future. Yes definitely, I need to go to the gym. I am a bit alarmed at my BMI. "In my country, you have to go to specialist areas to get this sort of information. It's great that anyone can get this sort of information by just tapping in weight, height info. "I will change my eating habits and think about exercise a bit more now.

I will tell my friends back home about this and encourage them to do it." Evelina Romano, 22, from Finland, lives in London: Weight 51kg, Height 1.69m = BMI 18 App rating: Most like an average person from Vietnam Image copyright Phil Coomes "I'm really surprised. I was eating normally and healthily and doing the right exercise. "I don't feel the BMI says anything, as long as I feel healthy. I have done the BMI test previously. I feel healthy. I don't look at my health by looking at my BMI. "I think the interesting bit is where you are placed globally. I was told I was petite. I am like someone from Vietnam. I am really surprised. "I will use this site again and tell my friends about it. I will put it on Facebook as it's something people will like to do. I know my friends will use it. It's a really useful tool." What Does My Body Mass Index (BMI) Tell Me About My Health? - Speaking of Women’s Health What Does My Body Mass Index (BMI) Tell Me About My Health? The body mass index (BMI) is a tool used to assess and monitor changes in body weight.

Tweet Why Worry About BMI? The body mass index (BMI) is a tool used to assess and monitor changes in body weight. Body mass index is defined as the individual's body mass divided by the square of his or her height, measured in kilograms/meters squared. To calculate your BMI , divide your weight in kilograms (kg) by height in meters squared (m2). A normal BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9. Overweight is defined as having a BMI of 25 to 29.9. A BMI equal or greater than 30 is considered obese. Your health care provider can also help you calculate your BMI. Doctors often use BMI as an objective indicator of whether a person is overweight, underweight, or at a healthy weight. BMI helps determine someone’s overall health risk and what treatment may be appropriate. It is also used to determine weight loss strategies , including whether weight loss surgery is indicated or not. Every Body Is Different BMI has its limitations because it does not measure body fat or muscle directly. Two people can have the same BMI but different body fat percentages.

For example, a bodybuilder with large muscle mass and low percentage of body fat may have the same BMI as a person who has more body fat. However, a BMI of 30 or higher usually indicates excess body fat for all people. Where You Carry Your Weight Matters How a person’s weight is distributed is also important. People who carry their weight in the middle have a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease , compared to people who carry their weight in their arms and legs. A man’s waist circumference should be less than 40 inches. A woman’s waist circumference should be less than 35 inches. The more you weigh, the harder your heart has to work to give your body nutrients. Research has shown that being overweight contributes to the onset of: diabetes

Question: 'Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared' equates to what health indicator?
Answer: Body mass index