What Is My BMI? A Comprehensive Guide

BMI, or body mass index, is a number that is used to measure body fat and assess overall health. It is calculated using weight and height and is based on weight categories established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Knowing your BMI is important for assessing your risk for certain diseases and health conditions. In this guide, we will discuss what BMI is and how it is calculated, as well as what the different categories mean for your health.

What Is BMI?

BMI stands for body mass index, and it is a measure of body fat based on weight and height. It is used as an estimate of overall health and fitness, as well as an indicator of an individual’s risk for certain diseases and health conditions. BMI is a good tool for comparing one individual’s body fat to another’s, but there are limitations to its accuracy.

How Is BMI Calculated?

BMI is calculated using weight in kilograms (kg) and height in meters (m). The formula is BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height2 (m2). The numbers are then placed in a chart that has been established by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO BMI chart breaks down weight categories based on various ranges of body mass index and provides a classification of each category.

What Do the Different BMI Categories Mean?

The WHO BMI chart breaks down weight categories and provides a classification of each category. A BMI of 18.5 or below is considered underweight, a BMI of 18.5-24.9 is considered normal, a BMI of 25-29.9 is considered overweight, and a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. It is important to note that the BMI range for someone with a large amount of muscle mass may be higher than the range for someone who does not have a lot of muscle mass, so BMI is not always an accurate indication of health.

Conclusion

BMI is a number that is used to measure body fat and assess overall health. It is calculated using weight and height and is based on weight categories established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Knowing your BMI is important for assessing your risk for certain diseases and health conditions, and it is important to understand what the different categories mean for your health. It is also important to note that BMI is not always an accurate indication of health, due to differences in muscle mass.