BMI is a term that isn't completely familiar to everyone. It is short for Body Mass Index.
It approaches a standard, and is the common choice for physicians and for research concerning obesity.
With a mathematical formula, BMI uses a person's height and weight for the calculation.
Your Body Mass Index is equal to your weight divided by your height in meters squared.
Use the calculator to get your BMI then check which category you're in below.
BMI below 18.5 = UNDERWEIGHT
Low body fat as the medical fraternity puts it. If you are in this range, you could be very athletic, naturally small framed, be ill or have an eating disorder. Unless you're training for the London Marathon, you don't want to be dieting, you want to be looking to be doing a bit of healthy weight gain.
BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 = NORMAL
This is where most of us would like to end up. If your body mass is in this range, you look better, feel better and are healthier.
BMI between 25 and 29.9 = OVERWEIGHT
You're overweight, and have a higher risk of developing problems. You need to start a diet and exercise programme. Cut down on the snacks, avoid the beer and walk a bit more and you'll be surprised how it drops off.
BMI between 30 and 39 = OBESE
You're more overweight, and have a significantly higher risk of developing medical problems. You really need to start a diet and exercise programme today. If your waist is over 40 inches for men or 35 for women that makes it even more important that you shed a few pounds otherwise you'll be in the following category before you can say 'hold the fries'.
BMI over 40 = EXTREMELY OBESE
You're extremely overweight. This excess body fat means a much higher risk of developing medical problems. But it's never too late to start on the right track - talk to your friendly health professional about a diet and exercise program and you'll be a shadow of your former self in no time!
IMPORTANT: The BMI Calculator is only a guideline and should be treated as such. BMI is only one measure of your health. Body fat percentage, blood pressure, resting heart rate, cholesterol and other measurements are at least as important as BMI. You need to get the whole picture!
This information was found at www.dailyweightloss.co.uk
