
What would you say is a dangerously low BMI?
For most people I'd say any BMI below 16 starts being so low that it raises immediate significant health risks. BMI 17 and above is in my opinion fine for longer term maintenance if your body isn't screaming at you to gain weight, but anything less than that would most likely be dangerous at least in the long run.
What number is a high BMI?
You are considered to have a normal, healthy BMI if your result ranges from 18.5 to 24.9. A BMI of under 18.5 is considered too low or underweight, while a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. You’re in obese territory if you have a BMI of over 30 – and this is often considered too high by most people.
Is there a better scale than BMI?
The team of researchers behind RFM say it's more accurate than BMI, and it can also be worked out with just a tape measure – so you don't need a set of scales to calculate it, as you do with BMI. In the case of RFM, it's the distance around your waist in relation to your height that counts, rather than your weight.
Is BMI an accurate measure of Health?
So is BMI an accurate measure of health? In short: no. While BMI is an accessible and affordable way to screen a person's health, it shouldn't be relied on as a single measure of health. Here's why. 1. BMI misses a more important measure – body fat percentage

What is a good BMI for a woman?
between 18.5 and 24.9BMI ranges for women A healthy BMI for women falls between 18.5 and 24.9. Find your BMI in the chart below to see your weight classification. If you're pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, you can calculate your recommended weight gain using your pre-pregnancy BMI.
What is the healthiest BMI to be at?
A BMI of less than 18.5 means a person is underweight. A BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 is ideal. A BMI of between 25 and 29.9 is overweight. A BMI over 30 indicates obesity....What is the problem with BMI?waist or hip measurements.the proportion or distribution of fat.the proportion of muscle mass.
How do I calculate my BMI?
Body Mass Index is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight. The formula is BMI = kg/m2 where kg is a person's weight in kilograms and m2 is their height in metres squared. A BMI of 25.0 or more is overweight, while the healthy range is 18.5 to 24.9. BMI applies to most adults 18-65 years.
How do I lower my BMI quickly?
Accelerate Weight Loss With Exercise Getting more activity is key if you want to lose weight and lower your BMI quickly. Aerobic activity burns calories, which helps you create a larger calorie deficit for weight loss without cutting your food intake too much.
How much should a 5'2 female weigh?
Height and Weight ChartHeightWeight5'97 to 127 lbs.128 to 152 lbs.5' 1"100 to 131 lbs.132 to 157 lbs.5' 2"104 to 135 lbs.136 to 163 lbs.5' 3"107 to 140 lbs.141 to 168 lbs.17 more rows
What is a good BMI for my age?
18.5 to 24.9For most adults, an ideal BMI is in the 18.5 to 24.9 range. For children and young people aged 2 to 18, the BMI calculation takes into account age and gender as well as height and weight. If your BMI is: below 18.5 – you're in the underweight range.
What should my waist size be?
Now that you've measured your waist circumference you need to know what it means. To have your best chance at maintaining good health, you should aim for: Men should have a waist circumference of 40 inches or less. Women should have a waist circumference of 35 inches or less.
Is the BMI outdated?
Though it has been used for decades as the go-to measurement for health based on body size, it has been widely criticized for its oversimplification of what being healthy really means. In fact, many claim BMI is outdated and inaccurate and shouldn't be used in medical and fitness settings.
Is a BMI of 21 OK?
A normal body mass index (BMI) in adults is between 18.5 to under 24.9, which means that 21 would be considered a normal BMI.
Is 22 the ideal BMI?
If your BMI is between 20 and 22: Heralthy Weight This indicates the ideal, healthy amount of body fat, which is associated with living longest, and the lowest incidence of serious illness. Coincidentally, it seems this ratio is what many individuals perceive to be the most aesthetically attractive.
Is a BMI of 27 OK?
Underweight: BMI below 18.5. Normal: BMI of 18.5 to 24.9. Overweight: BMI of 25 to 29.9. Obese: BMI of 30 or higher.
Is a BMI of 20 ideal?
Body Mass Index (BMI) The BMI score is meant to be a quick way of determining whether a person has too much body fat. BMI scores of 20 to 24.9 are considered normal, scores of 25 to 29.9 are overweight, scores of 30 to 34.9 are obese, and scores above 35 are extremely obese. Scores under 20 are considered underweight.
Why is it easy to calculate BMI?
It’s easy because we can measure your height and your weight and we can calculate this BMI, which standardizes weight across heights for adults. The BMI scale for adults is:
What does BMI stand for?
A: BMI stands for body mass index. We take a person’s weight and height and convert that into metric units, and then calculate weight per meter of body surface area – so it’s measured in kilograms per meters squared. This is used as an approximation of body composition, in particular the amount of total body fat. Advertising Policy.
Does BMI increase risk of heart disease?
So higher BMI is associated with increased risk for cancer, heart disease and stroke. Advertising Policy. But there are other measurements that can help determine whether you’re at a healthy body weight. One that we probably don’t use enough is waist circumference.
Is BMI above 40 a good estimate?
Above 40: Morbidly obese. However, BMI is only an estimation of body composition. So there are people who carry a lot of muscle mass whose BMI will be high because they weigh more, and it’s not really a good indication of what their body mass is. But for the vast majority of Americans, it’s a good rough estimate.
What is the BMI of a person?
For most adults, a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 to 24.9 indicates a healthy weight, however that may depend on various lifestyle factors. Calculate your BMI here.
What is the BMI?
Body mass index (BMI) is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of the body’s height in meters. It indicates whether the weight is appropriate for the person’s height. BMI is the most inexpensive screening tool to measure obesity. Although it does not directly measure body fat, it can be correlated with more direct measures of body fat.
How to calculate BMI?
The formula for calculating BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.
What is body fat percentage?
Body fat percentage is the amount of fat in your body compared to the amount of muscle and bone. The ideal healthy body fat percentage depends on your age and gender.
What are some good fats to eat?
From fish to avocados, nuts to beans, WebMD shows you what tasty foods have healthy fats. See the benefits of adding omega 3s and other good fats to your diet.
Do older people have the same BMI as younger people?
An old person and a young adult may have the same BMI, but older people will have less amount of muscle and bone mass than youngsters.
Can BMI tell you the percentage of fat in your body?
Body mass index (BMI) is an easy and inexpensive tool that can determine whether you’re at a healthy weight in relation to your height or if you need to lose weight. However, it does not tell you if the excess weight gain is due to excess body fat. Although two people can have the same BMI, they may not have a similar amount of fat percentage in their bodies because of certain physiological and lifestyle differences that include:
What does BMI mean?
Your BMI is , indicating your weight is in the category for adults of your height. For your height, a normal weight range would be from to pounds. People who are overweight or obese are at higher risk for chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Why is it important to maintain a healthy weight?
Maintaining a healthy weight may reduce the risk of chronic diseases associated with overweight and obesity. For information about the importance of a healthy diet and physical activity in maintaining a healthy weight, visit Preventing Weight Gain. For the information you entered:
Is BMI a reliable indicator of body fatness?
BMI provides a fairly reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. Visit the CDC Web Site: More about BMI for Adults. Healthy Weight.
What is the BMI calculator?
The BMI Calculator is an easy-to-use online tool to help you estimate your adult patients' body fat. The BMI calculator uses Standard or Metric measures and is available in English or Spanish.
How to determine BMI for a child?
BMI for children and teens, 2 to 20 years old, is determined by using a BMI table that compares their weight and height along with growth charts. The growth charts use a child's BMI, age, and gender to produce a BMI percentile. A child or teen who is between the 85th and 95th percentile on the growth chart is considered overweight.
What are the limitations of BMI?
Although BMI can be used for most men and women, it does have some limits: 1 It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build. 2 It may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle.
What is the BMI of a person who is overweight?
People who are overweight (BMI of 25–29.9) have too much body weight for their height. People who are obese (BMI of 30 or above) almost always have a large amount of body fat in relation to their height.
What is BMI table?
The BMI Table is a static tool to help you estimate your patients' body fat.
Is BMI good for men?
Although BMI can be used for most men and women, it does have some limits: It may overestimate body fat in athletes ...
Can men use BMI?
Although BMI can be used for most men and women, it does have some limits:
What is the BMI?
What Is Body Mass Index? Body mass index (BMI) is an estimate of body fat based on height and weight. It doesn’t measure body fat directly, but instead uses an equation to make an approximation. BMI can help determine whether a person is at an unhealthy or healthy weight.
How old is the BMI?
BMI is interpreted differently for people under age 20. While the same formula is used to determine BMI for all age groups, the implications for children and adolescents can vary depending on age and gender. The amount of body fat changes with age. It’s also different in young boys and girls.
What does it mean when your BMI is high?
A high BMI can be a sign of too much fat on the body, while a low BMI can be a sign of too little fat on the body. The higher a person’s BMI, the greater their chances of developing certain serious conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
What age can I get a BMI calculator?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a simple online child and teen BMI calculator for ages 2 to 19, and an adult BMI calculator for ages 20 and older.
Why is it important to lower your BMI?
Energy imbalance is certainly one of the biggest contributors to weight gain. However, your ideal weight is primarily determined by genetics, as well as by the types of foods you eat and how much you exercise. If you have a high BMI, it’s important to lower it so you’re at a healthy weight status.
How to gain weight with low BMI?
If you have a low BMI, discuss your weight with your doctor. If needed, increasing the amount of food you eat each day or reducing the amount of exercise can help you gain weight. A dietitian can also help you learn how to gain weight in a healthy way. Last medically reviewed on March 21, 2016.
What age can I interpret my BMI?
Body Mass Index for Adults. Adults age 20 and older can interpret their BMI based on the following standard weight status categories. These are the same for men and women of all ages and body types: BMI. Weight Status.
How to calculate BMI?
Calculating BMI using the BMI Percentile Calculator involves the following steps: 1 Measure height and weight. Refer to Measuring Children’s Height and Weight Accurately At Home for guidance. 2 Use the Child and Teen BMI Calculator to calculate BMI. The BMI number is calculated using standard formulas.
What does a high BMI mean?
Being underweight can also put one at risk for health issues. A high BMI can indicate high body fatness. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but BMI is correlated with more direct measures of body fat 1,2,3.
How is BMI calculated for children and teens?
Calculating BMI using the BMI Percentile Calculator involves the following steps:
What is a BMI percentile and how is it interpreted?
After BMI is calculated for children and teens, it is expressed as a percentile obtained from either a graph or a percentile calculator linked below. These percentiles express a child’s BMI relative to US children who participated in national surveys from 1963-65 to 1988-94 4. Weight and height change during growth and development, as does their relation to body fatness. Consequently, a child’s BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same sex and age.
Why can’t healthy weight ranges be provided for children and teens?
It is difficult to provide healthy weight ranges for children and teens because the interpretation of BMI depends on weight, height, age, and sex.
What are the BMI trends for children and teens in the United States?
The prevalence of children and teens who measure in the 95 th percentile or greater on the CDC growth charts has greatly increased over the past 40 years . Recently, however, this trend has leveled off and has even declined in certain age groups.
What are the health consequences of obesity during childhood?
Obesity during childhood can harm the body in a variety of ways, now and in the future. Learn more about the health consequences of obesity for children.
