Body Mass Index (BMI)
What BMI Means?
Body mass index (BMI) is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. Excess body fat is related to serious health conditions. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI"s biggest weakness is that it doesn"t consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass.
People of Asian descent may have an increased risk of health problems at a lower BMI threshold than the general population. Asians with a BMI of 23 or higher maybe at risk.
To determine if you"re at a healthy weight, enter your height and weight and calculate your body mass index (BMI).
Categories
Ranges of BMI values have been divided into statistical categories by World Health Organization (WHO) international classification of adult underweight, overweight and obesity according to BMI.
| Classification | BMI(kg/m2) | |
|---|---|---|
| Principal cut-off points | Additional cut-off points | |
| Underweight | < 18.5 | |
| Normal | 18.5 - 24.99 | 18.5 - 22.99 |
| 23 - 24.99 | ||
| Overweight | ≥ 25 | |
| Pre-Obese | 25 to 29.99 | 25 - 32.49 |
| 32.5 - 34.99 | ||
| Obese | ≥ 30 | |
| Obese class I | 30 - 34.99 | 30 - 32.49 |
| 32.5 - 34.99 | ||
| Obese class II | 35 - 39.99 | 35 - 37.49 |
| 37.5 - 39.99 | ||
| Obese class III | ≥ 40 | |