Friday, May 9, 2008

Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator

Are you in shape, or could you lose a few pounds? Find out where you stand by calculating your Body Mass Index.

Body Mass Index

What is Body Mass Index?

Body mass index, or BMI, is a guideline used to judge whether you are at risk for health problems associated with your weight. Weight-related health risks include heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Your BMI is calculated using this formula:

Body Mass Index (BMI) formula

Calculate Your Body Mass Index

What does your BMI say about your health? Are you within the healthy weight range? Use this BMI calculator to help you find out fast!

Rather than relying simply on the bathroom scale, experts are increasingly urging people to know their BMI, a figure that takes into account not just weight but height to indicate body fat. The goal for most people: a BMI that's over 18 and under 25.

Weight:  lbs.
Height:  feet inches

  

Your BMI is

Below are the BMI ranges for interpreting your own BMI results.

Generally speaking, the higher your BMI is, the greater your risk of developing health problems related to weight such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

BMI of 18 and under

You may be underweight for your height. Health-related reasons for underweight could be smoking habits or poor nutrition. Women who become severely underweight may stop having their menstrual period and become infertile.

BMI of 19 to 24

This range is considered to be the "healthy weight" range. People who have a BMI within this range generally have a low risk for developing weight-related health problems.

BMI of 25 to 29

This range is considered to be the "overweight" range. People who have a BMI within this range have a moderate risk for developing weight-related health problems.

BMI of 30 and over

This range is considered to be the "obese" range. People who have a BMI within this range have a high risk for developing weight-related health problems.

A Few Things to Remember About BMI

Remember that your BMI is only one way of assessing your general health and risk for disease. A complete picture of your health risks depends on a variety of other factors, such as your family health history and your occupation.

Also, keep in mind that BMI does not measure your body composition - how much fat and muscle you have. So a person who has a lot of muscle, like a professional bodybuilder, may be "overweight" by BMI standards but not at risk for weight-related health problems.

Your Fitness Level: Take Action Now!

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Thank you for using the BMI calculator!

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