Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on a person’s weight and height. It is commonly used as a simple and quick way to assess whether a person has a healthy body weight.
Weight (in kg):
Height (in meters):
BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared (BMI = weight / (height * height)). The resulting number indicates whether the person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese:
- A BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight
- A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered normal weight
- A BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight
- A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese
However, it’s important to note that BMI is not a perfect measure of health or body composition. It doesn’t take into account factors like age, gender, and muscle mass, which can all affect a person’s weight and body fat. Therefore, it’s best to interpret BMI results in context with other factors and to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice on weight and health.
BMI range for women
The normal BMI range for women is the same as for men: between 18.5 and 24.9. BMI is a simple and quick way to assess whether a person has a healthy body weight, but it does not differentiate between men and women.
However, while the normal BMI range is the same for both sexes, men and women can have different body compositions and different health risks associated with their weight. For example, women tend to have more body fat than men, which can affect their BMI and their risk for certain health conditions. Additionally, women may be more prone to osteoporosis, which can affect their bone density and their weight.
Women and men may need different advice on maintaining a healthy weight, depending on their unique circumstances and health risks.
BMI Percentile
BMI percentile is a measure that compares an individual’s BMI to the BMI of other people in the same age and sex group. The percentile represents the proportion of people in the same group with a lower BMI than the individual.
BMI percentile is particularly relevant for children and adolescents because their BMIs change as they grow and their BMIs need to be compared to those of other children and adolescents of the same age and sex. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides growth charts that show the distribution of BMI percentiles among children and adolescents.
A BMI percentile of less than 5% indicates that a child or adolescent is underweight, while a BMI percentile of 85% to less than 95% indicates overweight and a BMI percentile of 95% or greater indicates obesity. A BMI percentile between 5% and 85% is considered normal weight.
BMI percentile is a useful tool for identifying children and adolescents who may be at risk for obesity-related health problems and for tracking their growth over time. However, it’s important to interpret BMI percentile in context with other factors.