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BMI - body mass index

Introduction

The BMI (Body Mass Index) uses height and weight to determine your ideal weight.

What is the point?

Weight alone tells us little about someone's body composition. To get a realistic measure of your ideal weight, it's necessary to take into account the composition of your body - how much of your weight is lean body mass (muscle and bone) and how much is fat. The BMI is a simple way to use height and weight to calculate your ideal weight.

What do you need?

  • Tape measure
     
  • Scales
     
How do you do the test?

  • Measure height
  • Measure weight


What results you'll get :

To determine your BMI, divide your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared. The normal acceptable range of this measurement is 20.1 to 25.0 for men and 18.7 to 23.8 for women. The only exceptions are athletes and body builders, whose extra muscle may tip their BMI over the normal range.

Assessment of your BMI score

The following BMI assessment is provided by NHS Direct (UK)

  • Less than 18.5 you are underweight for your height.
  • 18.5 to 24.9 you are an ideal weight for your height
  • 25 to 29.9 you are over the ideal weight for your height
  • 30 to 39.9 you are obese
  • Over 39.9 you are very obese

What is being measured again?

This is a measure of ideal weight.

Click here for our BMI calculator to work out yours.


 
 

 

 

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