From WebMD · · 2m
What your BMI actually tells you about health
Body mass index estimates weight-related health risks based on height, but it has significant limits doctors want you to understand.
In brief
Body mass index estimates weight-related health risks based on height, but it has significant limits doctors want you to understand. BMI divides weight in kilograms by height in metres squared to screen for weight-related health risks, but doctors say it cannot account for where fat is stored, muscle mass, age, sex…
How BMI is calculated
Body mass index estimates how healthy your weight is based on your height. BMI is calculated for both men and women by dividing weight in kilograms by height in metres squared.
BMI categories for adults
For all men and women twenty years old and older, BMI is classified into four main weight categories: below eighteen point five is underweight, eighteen point five to twenty four point nine is healthy weight…
Different thresholds for Asian descent
People of Asian descent may have greater health risks at a lower BMI. People in this group may be placed in the overweight range if their BMI is between twenty three and twenty five and…
What BMI cannot measure
BMI is a screening tool that can let you know if you may be at risk for weight-related health problems.
Where fat is stored matters most
The most important thing BMI cannot tell is where you are storing fat in your body.Visceral or abdominal fat settles around your organs and has the greatest impact on your health.
Age, sex and race differences
Body fat as a percentage of total body weight begins to go up around age thirty.At the same BMI, women have about ten percent more body fat than men.
Muscle mass is not measured
BMI is a measure of relative weight compared to height.It does not measure how much of your weight is made up of muscle.
BMI does not apply in pregnancy
You should not use a BMI measurement to see if you are at a healthy weight while you are pregnant.Talk to your doctor about the weight range that is right for you at this time.
Talk to your doctor about results
A BMI range tells you if you are in a certain weight category.But taken alone, it does not mean you are healthy or not or diagnose you with any condition.
The essence
BMI divides weight in kilograms by height in metres squared to screen for weight-related health risks, but doctors say it cannot account for where fat is stored, muscle mass, age, sex, race or pregnancy.
