Body mass index, BMI, body mass index calculator, BMI calculator

The Body Mass Index, or BMI, clarifies an important distinction between overweight and obesity. If you weigh too much, you are obviously overweight. But if you have a very high proportion of body fat, you are obese. Depending on your body mass index, your doctor or other health professional will rate your weight as being healthy, overweight or obese.

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), BMI "describes body weight in relation to height and correlates with total body fat content in most adults". In almost all cases, this means that BMI will accurately reflect your weight and body fat proportion based on your height and weight when categorized as being healthy, overweight or obese.

Calculating your approximate body mass index is relatively simple, although you will probably need a calculator just to save time. To get your BMI, multiply your weight in pounds by 703. Then, divide that result by your height in inches. Then divide this result by your height in inches once more.

As an example, say you weigh 180 pounds and you measure 5 feet 10 inches.

Multiply 180 by 703 to get 126,540. Then divide it by 70 (70 inches is the same as 5 '10 ") to get 1807.7 .. Now divide 1807.7 by 70 once again.The result - 25.8-- is your BMI or approximate body mass index.If you do not have a calculator handy, you can achieve the same result using the free interactive BMI calculator at www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm.

If the example above seems to you, you may be surprised to learn that you are a little heavier than your doctor might wish. A BMI of 18.5 to 25 is considered healthy, 25 to 30 is classified as overweight, and 30 or more is obese.

As a rule, says the NHLBI, the higher a person's BMI, the greater the risk of health problems. In addition to skyrocketing your BMI, excess body fat is a recognized health risk. Men and women with waistlines greater than 40 and 35 inches, respectively, are at a much higher risk for health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Like all the basic rules, this one also has an exception. Bodybuilders, for example, often have a body mass index greater than 25 and sometimes even greater than 30. In this case, however, the higher BMI reflects the fact that bodybuilders have more muscle mass without having more fat .

Finally, there is always one sure way to reduce your BMI if you are overweight or obese: Eat less and exercise more. Your body will burn more calories than you eat and your body mass index will decrease over time.

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