A BMI of 18.5–24.9 is considered normal or healthy for most women. Even though healthcare professionals can use BMI as a screening tool, they shouldn’t use it as a method to evaluate a person’s body fat levels or health status ( 32 ).
What is BMI and why is it bad?
The BMI score is meant to be a quick way of determining whether a person has too much body fat. BMI scores of 20 to 24.9 are considered normal, scores of 25 to 29.9 are overweight, scores of 30 to 34.9 are obese, and scores above 35 are extremely obese. Scores under 20 are considered underweight.
What is BMI on a medical chart?
Body mass index (BMI) is a number based on both your height and weight. It can help determine the degree to which a person is overweight and assesses their total body fat. The normal BMI is 20 to 25.
How do I determine my ideal weight?
Here are general guidelines.
- If your BMI is less than 18.5, it falls within the “underweight” range.
- If your BMI is 18.5 to 24.9, it falls within the “normal” or Healthy Weight range.
- If your BMI is 25.0 to 29.9, it falls within the “overweight” range.
- If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, it falls within the “obese” range.
How do I figure my ideal weight?
It is calculated according to BMI = weight/height². The optimal, healthy range for BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. Our ideal weight calculator converts this back into weight, presenting to you the range of appropriate weights for your height.
How do I know if I am overweight for my age?
A result between 18.5 and 24.9 means you’re in the “normal” weight range for your height. If your result is under 18.5, you’re considered underweight. Between 25 and 29.9 means you ‘re considered overweight. And if your number is 30 to 35 or more, you’re considered obese.
What weight do I need to be to have a BMI of 25?
tall is considered overweight (BMI is 25 to 29) if she weighs between about 145 and 169 pounds. She is considered obese (BMI is 30 or more) if she is closer to 174 pounds or more. A man who is 5 ft. 10 in.
Why do doctors still use BMI?
Health professionals have been using body mass index, or BMI, to help decide whether people are overweight or underweight for more than 100 years. Researchers in population studies, doctors, personal trainers, and others use the BMI in their work.
How do I know if I’m fat without BMI?
People can also look to their waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio as ways to examine body composition. For example, if a woman’s waist circumference is more than 35 inches, that’s an indicator of abdominal obesity, according to the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
What is an alternative to BMI?
Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) The cousin of the BMI, waist-to-height ratio compares — you guessed it — waist circumference to height, rather than overall weight to height squared. WHtR is more accurate than BMI because it takes central fat into consideration.
What is importance of BMI?
Your BMI is a measurement that is a ratio of your weight and height. It’s a good way to gauge whether your weight is in healthy proportion to your height. In fact, knowing your BMI can help you – and your GP – determine any health risks you may face if it’s outside of the healthy range.
How can I tell if Im overweight?
Adult Body Mass Index
- If your BMI is less than 18.5, it falls within the underweight range.
- If your BMI is 18.5 to <25, it falls within the healthy weight range.
- If your BMI is 25.0 to <30, it falls within the overweight range.
- If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, it falls within the obesity range.
How do doctors test BMI?
To calculate your BMI, divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared, then multiply the results by a conversion factor of 703. For someone who is 5 feet 5 inches tall (65 inches) and weighs 150 pounds, the calculation would look like this: [150 ÷ (65)2] x 703 = 24.96.