Body Mass Index (BMI) indicates whether a person is underweight, overweight, obese, or of a healthy weight for their height. It measures body fat based on height and weight, and applies to most adults over 20 years old. For individuals under 20, the overall percentile is the most accurate assessment of body fat.
Key Takeaways
- BMI is a simple calculation using height and weight that helps estimate body fat, but it’s not a perfect diagnostic tool.
- While BMI can give a general idea of health, it doesn’t account for muscle mass, age, or individual body differences.
- Always consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice about your weight and overall health, as BMI is just one piece of the puzzle.
However, body mass index fails to account for a person’s frame, muscle mass, and other organic material such as fat, bone, cartilage, and water weight. Another problem is that athletes, children, and older people can contribute to an inaccurate calculation, indicating that they may be underweight or overweight when they are not. Also, not everyone around the world uses the same measurements or categories. Therefore, BMI should not be a diagnostic tool but only a guideline. Despite these variations, it is widely regarded as an adequate measurement for many people.
You can check your body mass index in two ways without using any special equipment. All you need is your height and weight. Then, you can look it up on a chart or plug numbers into a calculator.
Using BMI Charts To Determine Body Mass Index
Below is an example of a BMI chart. The top and right margins have pounds and inches for those who use imperial measurements. The left and bottom margins have meters and kilograms for those who use the metric system.
To determine your body mass index, locate your height. Then, move your finger to the left or right until it lines up with your weight.
The body mass index (BMI) is different for children. It’s similar to adults, but compares the percentile values for boys or girls of the same age. For example, a child is underweight if the result is less than the 5th percentile. If a child’s BMI is above the 95th percentile, they are considered obese. Children between the 85th and 95th percentiles are considered to be overweight.
Can You Trust Body Mass Index?
Even though the body mass index fails to account for a person’s frame, muscle mass, and age, and some countries’ standards and recommendations differ, the body mass index remains one of the most popular tools for estimating whether a person is underweight, overweight, obese, or a healthy weight for their height. Regardless, maintaining a weight in the normal range is better for your overall health than being overweight or obese.
However, it is best to consult with your doctor, dietitian, or other healthcare professional to determine what is best for you.
Conclusion
Knowing your BMI is a great starting point if you want to lose weight, get in shape, or maintain a healthy weight. Discussing your concerns with a healthcare professional and keeping a journal to track your progress will increase your chances of success.
FitTrend’s mission is to help you along your self-improvement journey, promote an active lifestyle, and help you achieve your goals. Our journal can help you track your weight. Also, FitTrend allows you to connect certain scales to your account to make it easier for you to track your weight automatically. Create your account today and start using FitTrend for free!
Disclaimer: No content on this site should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
