I had the pleasure of playing 18 holes of golf last week with an old friend who I hadn’t seen in over 2 years. While we were waiting to tee off he mentioned how he was up to 195 pounds. “What’s your BMI”, I asked him. Safe to say he had no idea what I was asking for.
Weight is just a number. There are other variables that go into determining if you are underweight, normal, overweight, or obese. Height would be the most important. A BMI Calculator can give you a pretty good idea of where you stand and a BMI Calculator works for both males and females.
If you don’t have access to a BMI calculator and are not behind a computer, all you need to calculate your BMI is a pad and pen. Below are the simple formulas. You can calculate BMI using either feet, inches, and pounds, or meters, centimeters, and kilograms. Body Mass Index can be calculated using pounds and inches with this equation:
BMI = ( |
Weight in Pounds (Height in inches) x (Height in inches) |
) x 703 |
For example, a person who weighs 220 pounds and is 6 feet 3 inches tall has a BMI of 27.5.
( | 220 lbs. (75 inches) x (75 inches) |
) x 703 = 27.5 |
BMI – Body Mass Index: BMI for Adults: What Does This All Mean?
So you have calculated your BMI and found which weight category your BMI matches. What does this all mean?
BMI is not the only indicator of health risk.
BMI is just one of many factors related to developing a chronic disease (such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes). Other factors that may be important to look at when assessing your risk for chronic disease include:
- Diet
- Physical Activity
- Waist Circumference
- Blood Pressure
- Blood Sugar Level
- Cholesterol Level
- Family History of disease
BMI | Weight Status |
Below 18.5 | Underweight |
18.5 – 24.9 | Normal |
25.0 – 29.9 | Overweight |
30.0 and Above | Obese |
All persons who are obese or overweight should try not to gain additional weight. In addition, those who are obese or who are overweight with other risk factors should consider losing weight. A complete health assessment by a physician is the best way to decide the right steps for you.
Whatever your BMI, talk to your doctor to see if you are at an increased risk for disease and if you should lose weight. Even a small weight loss (just 10% of your current weight) may help to lower the risk of disease. Physical activity and good nutrition are key factors in leading a healthy lifestyle and reducing risk for disease. If you’ve tried everything and nothing is working for you, maybe it’s time to try a non prescription diuretic or a top fat burner pill.