How do I calculate my BMI?

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a relationship between weight and height that is used to assess a person's health risk.It is a mathematical formula that correlates with body fat in adults and is expressed as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.

Obesity is defined as an excess of body fat, but direct measurement of body fat is usually not practical.The BMI indicates a patient's relative health risk, and most studies designed to evaluate health risk will rely on BMI values.

First, you must measure the height in inches.Keep in mind the Body Mass Index cannot accurately be calculated for people with Scoliosis or Kyphosus.A person must estimate as best they can for the accurate height.

Second, weigh the person (in pounds).To convert kilograms to pounds:
one pound = 0.45 kg.To convert inches to meters (1 inch = .0254 meters).

The formula is as follows:

1. Multiply your weight in pounds by 703.
2. Multiply your height in inches times itself.
3. Divide the first number by the second to give you your BMI.

For example, you weigh 190 pounds and are 5'5" or (65 inches) tall.

(1) 190 x 703 = 133,579
(2) 65 x 65 = 4,225
(3) 133,579 divided by 4,225 = 31.6

A BMI of 31.6 puts you in a category of moderate to high risk for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, gallstones, or ischemic stroke.

To estimate a plan of action to reduce one's risks for such diseases, the reverse formula is the following:

(1) 21 x height squared (4,225) equals 88,725 divided by 707 or 125 pounds which is the ideal weight for the individual is 65 inches tall.Subtract the ideal weight from the real weight and he needs to lose about 65 pounds to be at a BMI of 21 which is low risk.This person can be at a weight of 165 before becoming a definite health risk.

A BMI of 25 or under constitutes a minimal health risk.A BMI of 25-27 is a low risk.A BMI of 27-30 is a moderate risk and a BMI of 30-35 is high risk and 35- 40 is very high risk.You must keep in mind that the risk value is adjusted for the presence of Comorbid conditions and other risk factors.For instance: If the person has a BMI of 27 and is a smoker, a diabetic, or hypertensive, etc. the risk factor is even greater.
Most Americans are aware that we are experiencing an epidemic of obesity in both adults and children.Approximately 35% of women and 31% of men age 20 and older are overweight or obese.These rates are among the highest in the world and continue to increase.

Obesity is directly linked to many chronic diseases such as heart disease, type II diabetes, hypertension, stroke, certain cancers and osteoarthritis, that are disabling and lead to premature illness and death.As the obesity rate continues to climb, these related comorbid disease rates will continue to rise as well.Obesity extracts a high toll in human suffering.There are psychosocial effects which range from lowered self esteem to clinical depression.

Despite this bad news, scientific evidence strongly suggests that in many cases, obese individuals who lose even relatively small amounts of weight find that an accompanying comorbid disease or condition is improved.A person can reduce high risks with only a loss of a few pounds.

BMI is a reliable indicator of total body fat, which is related to the risk of disease and death. The score works for both men and women alike.But if a person is an athlete and has a muscular build, the score could be wrong.Older people tend to lose muscle mass, so the score would probably be incorrect for them also.