BMI: Body Mass Index. What does it mean?
So I’ve heard BMI tossed around as the way to determine if you’re healthy or not. So what’s mine and what does it mean? BMI, or Body Mass Index, and is an indicator of total body fat, which is then related to the risk of disease and death. Yay. It’s actually just a pretty simple formula:
BMI = (
Weight in Pounds
(Height in inches) x (Height in inches)
) x 703
Or you can use one of the many online BMI calculators out there. Mine (6′2″, 213 lbs.) is 27.3.
According to this table:
BMI
Underweight
Below 18.5
Normal
18.5 - 24.9
Overweight
25.0 - 29.9
Obesity
30.0 and Above
So I’m overweight, but not obese. Double-yay!
BMI does have some limitations. The table should only be applied to adults, and some groups have made minor adjustments for men and women. It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build, while underestimating body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle mass. It should not be used as the sole indicator of health, but it is a good general measurement.
So I’ve heard BMI tossed around as the way to determine if you’re healthy or not. So what’s mine and what does it mean? BMI, or Body Mass Index, and is an indicator of total body fat, which is then related to the risk of disease and death. Yay. It’s actually just a pretty simple formula:
| BMI = ( | Weight in Pounds (Height in inches) x (Height in inches) |
) x 703 |
Or you can use one of the many online BMI calculators out there. Mine (6′2″, 213 lbs.) is 27.3.
According to this table:
|
So I’m overweight, but not obese. Double-yay!
BMI does have some limitations. The table should only be applied to adults, and some groups have made minor adjustments for men and women. It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build, while underestimating body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle mass. It should not be used as the sole indicator of health, but it is a good general measurement.
