These categories are the same for men and women of all body types and ages. Top of Page How is BMI interpreted for adults?įor adults 20 years old and older, BMI is interpreted using standard weight status categories. Because height is commonly measured in centimeters, divide height in centimeters by 100 to obtain height in meters.Įxample: Weight = 68 kg, Height = 165 cm (1.65 m)įormula: weight (lb) / 2 x 703Ĭalculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) squared and multiplying by a conversion factor of 703.Įxample: Weight = 150 lbs, Height = 5’5″ (65″)Ĭalculation: x 703 = 24.96 With the metric system, the formula for BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. The calculation is based on the following formulas: Furthermore, many of these methods can be difficult to standardize across observers or machines, complicating comparisons across studies and time periods.īMI is calculated the same way for both adults and children. However, these methods are not always readily available, and they are either expensive or need to be conducted by highly trained personnel. Other methods to measure body fatness include skinfold thickness measurements (with calipers), underwater weighing, bioelectrical impedance, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and isotope dilution 1,2,3. Top of Page What are some of the other ways to assess excess body fatness besides BMI? To see the formula based on either kilograms and meters or pounds and inches, visit How is BMI calculated? BMI can be used as a screening tool for body fatness but is not diagnostic. Because calculation requires only height and weight, it is inexpensive and easy to use for clinicians and for the general public. Top of Page Why is BMI used to measure overweight and obesity?īMI can be used for population assessment of overweight and obesity. To learn more about the trends of adult obesity, visit Adult Obesity Facts. Obesity has continued to increase in adult women who are age 60 years and older. Recently, however, this trend has leveled off, except for older women.

The prevalence of adult BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m 2 (obese status) has greatly increased since the 1970s.

What are the BMI trends for adults in the United States? These assessments might include skinfold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical activity, family history, and other appropriate health screenings 10. To determine if a high BMI is a health risk, a healthcare provider would need to perform further assessments. BMI can be used as a screening tool but is not diagnostic of the body fatness or health of an individual. In general, BMI is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight category, for example underweight, normal or healthy weight, overweight, and obesity.Ī high BMI can be an indicator of high body fatness. Furthermore, BMI appears to be as strongly correlated with various metabolic and disease outcome as are these more direct measures of body fatness 4,5,6,7,8,9. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI is moderately correlated with more direct measures of body fat obtained from skinfold thickness measurements, bioelectrical impedance, densitometry (underwater weighing), dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and other methods 1,2,3.

What are the health consequences of obesity for adults?īMI is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters.

If an athlete or other person with a lot of muscle has a BMI over 25, is that person still considered to be overweight?.

How good is BMI as an indicator of body fatness?.

Is BMI interpreted the same way for children and teens as it is for adults?.

What are some of the other ways to assess excess body fatness besides BMI?.

Why is BMI used to measure overweight and obesity?.

What are the BMI trends for adults in the United States?.

Children bmi calculator metric