BMI - the Measure of Fitness | Midwest Weight Control
Do you consider yourself to be fit? Do you have any idea if you are normal weight, overweight, or obese? Figuring out your body mass index (BMI) can provide a starting point for determining your fitness level and weight loss goals.
What Is BMI?
The body mass index compares your height and weight to determine if you’re at a healthy weight. While there are always exceptions to every rule, this is a standardized measurement used by many physicians and weight loss experts to determine fitness and health levels.
Weight Categories Based on BMI:
- Severely Underweight < 16.5
- Underweight 16.5 – 18.5
- Normal 18.5 - 25
- Overweight 25 – 30
- Obese 30 - 35
- Clinically Obese 35 - 40
- Morbidly Obese > 40
Calculating Your BMI
To calculate your own BMI, take your weight in pounds divided by your height in inches squared. Multiply that number by 703. Let’s look at a 6-feet tall person who weighs 180 pounds as an example.
Weight = 180
Height in inches = 72
Height in inches squared = 72 x 72 = 5184
BMI = (180/5184) x 703 = 24.4
A person who is 6 feet tall and weights 180 pounds would be considered normal weight because they have a BMI of 24.4.
BMI as a Starting Point
Body mass index, as you can see, is based on a simple mathematical equation that only considers your height and weight. BMI does not measure your actual body fat or take into account your sex, age, or daily activity level. It is possible to have a “healthy” BMI, but have a very high percentage of body fat. In this case, you could be considered to have “normal weight obesity.”
Your physician can conduct a test to measure your body fat percentage in the office. If you’re concerned about your fitness level or overall health, talk to your doctor about getting a clearer picture of your total wellness.