Body Mass Index Calculator

The Body Mass Index is a poor measurement and a controversially inaccurate indicator to assess health. An ideal BMI (which the measurement considers to be healthy) is between 20.5 and 21.5. However, it makes absolutely no distinction between body weight from muscle and body weight from fat which labels a broad segment of the athletic and similar healthy populations as overweight and obese. It is limited in its ability to predict deaths caused by heart attacks or strokes (yet it's still used by Physicians). High BMIs (35 and over) are linked to increased risk of cardiovascular events but not to increased mortality overall. BMIs less than 20 are linked to increased risk of cardiovascular events AND to total mortality.

<< Try a more accurate measurment and determinant
of health by calculating your Body Composition >>

To calculate your own Body Mass Index, enter your height (in feet and inches) and weight (in pounds) in the spaces below. Then click where it says "Calculate BMI"

Weight:	lbs.
Height:	Ft.� In.

�

Your Body Mass Index is

According to the Panel on Energy, Obesity, and Body Weight Standards published by American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,
your BMI category is considered to be:

A following table describes the health-risk significance of the BMI:

Men	Women	Risk Factor
<20.7	<19.1	Underweight. The lower the BMI the greater the risk
20.7 to 26.4	19.1 to 25.8	Normal, very low risk
26.4 to 27.8	25.8 to 27.3	Marginally overweight, some risk
27.8 to 31.1	27.3 to 32.2	Overweight. moderate risk
31.1 to 45.4	32.3 to 44.8	Severe overweight, high risk
> 45.4	> 44.8	Morbid obesity, very high risk

More information on ideal body weight guidelines

Reference Source 64,66