And that’s one of the problems.Īlthough BMI can be used on anyone, it doesn’t really say much about a person’s health. BMI can be used for anyone, though it’s interpreted a little differently in kids and teens (more on this below). Qualifying for certain medications and treatments, like Wegovy or bariatric surgery

Making decisions with your provider about medications and other treatments Understanding how your weight might be affecting current health conditions It works best when combined with other information about your diet and lifestyle, your medical history, and your genetics.īut BMI can be a helpful tool in some situations, including:ĭoing research studies on large groups of peopleĬreating health policies for a population as a wholeĪssessing your risk of having health problems in the future BMI only gives a general measurement of body fatness. On its own, BMI doesn’t say much about your overall health. Weight (lbs) / height (in)² x 703 = BMI Is BMI an accurate measurement of health? If you want to use pounds and inches, a conversion factor is necessary: To manually calculate BMI, divide your weight (in kilograms) by the square of your height (in meters): You can easily calculate BMI on your own with this tool. And BMI doesn’t always give an accurate picture when it comes to body fatness or your overall health. Even if two people have the same BMI, they can have totally different bodies. Low BMI has been linked to:įaster decline in lung function in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)īut BMI isn’t a perfect tool. Not having enough fat in your body can also increase your health risks. And research over many years has shown that health complications increase as BMI increases. Having a high BMI might put you at greater risk for certain diseases, like heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Knowing your weight category may help you and your healthcare provider understand your health risks. There are three categories of obesity for BMI above 30: There are four different BMI weight categories: This gives you a number - your BMI - that determines your weight category. BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared.

Body mass index