BMI Calculator
BMI is a simple screening measure based on height and weight. It does not directly measure body fat and can be misleading for very muscular people. Use it as a general guide, not a diagnosis.
Result
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Formula
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ [height (m)]².
Limitations to BMI
- BMI does not account for the body composition of individuals, i.e. fat distribution where looking at waist circumference could be a more valid indicator for abdominal fat.
- Certain ethnicites are more susceptible to health conditions at lower BMI levels than the rest of the population and so apply to lower BMI thresholds.
- More muscle mass may contribute to having a higher BMI without having excess body fat.
- For children and teens instead of the formula used to calculate BMI for adults, percentile based charts should be used.
The key takeaway here is, BMI should be interpreted alongside other health factors by a professional to get an accurate understanding of one's physical health.