Body Mass Index

By
ANJALI, PARUL,
RAKHI, HIMANI,
MOHINI

Introduction

Body Mass Index (BMI) is the latest tool to assess the amount of body
fatness in a person.

It is a calculation using a persons height and weight.

Health professionals use BMI to determine if one is underweight, a

healthy weight, overweight or obese.

BMI can provide an indication of weight categories that could lead to

future health problems.

BMI levels are interpreted differently for adults and children so

different BMI calculators are used.

How is BMI used as a

Measure of Health?

BMI is used to screen for weight problems that may

lead to future health problems

For most people BMI is a reliable indicator of body

fatness

The higher the BMI number, the more body fat a

person has.

Is BMI always a reliable

indicator of Body Fatness?

Although BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people

there is an exception:

Athletes: physically fit, may have a high BMI due to a lot of muscle
mass but not due to a high level of body fatness.

How do you calculate BMI for adults

BMI can be calculated using the formula:

BMI

BMI calculator: an easier method is to use a BMI calculator.

The adult BMI calculator is used to determine the BMI for people 20 years
of age and over.

How to interpret BMI levels for

adults?

Classification
Underweight
Severe thinness
Moderate thinness
Mild thinness

BMI(kg/m2)
<18.50
<16.00
16.00 - 16.99
17.00 - 18.49

Normal range

18.50 - 24.99

Overweight
Pre-obese
Obese
Obese class I
Obese class II
Obese class III

25.00
25.00 - 29.99
30.00
30.00 - 34.99
35.00 - 39.99
40.00

Source: Adapted from WHO, 1995, WHO, 2000 and WHO

BMI calculation

Above a Healthy Weight

If your BMI lies above the normal area, then

you may be at greater risk for health
problems such as high blood pressure, heart
disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

Below a Healthy Weight

If your BMI lies below the normal area, then you may be
at risk for health problems such as irregular heart
rhythms, depression, anemia, and osteoporosis.

Some people have a low BMI, but are eating well and
have lots of energy. The best advice for people below a
healthy weight is to be aware of their health risks and
maintain a stable weight by eating well and keeping
active.

How to interpret BMI

levels for children?

For those over 2 years to 20 years of age, calculating and interpreting BMI
levels is different than for an adult.

The BMI is calculated from the childs weight and height, age and sex.

For children and teens, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as
BMI-for-age.

BMI in Children

BMI =

Weight in kg
(height in m)2

Contents

BMI percentile: a percentile ranking is also determined.

It is this percentile that is used to evaluate a childs weight status.

Like adults, BMI is used to determine if a child is underweight, a

healthy weight, overweight or obese.

BMI Table for Children

Once a BMI percentile is calculated for a child,

then the table below is used:

Weight Status
Category

Percentile Range

Underweight

Less than the 5th percentile

Healthy weight
Overweight
Obese

5th percentile to less than the

85th percentile
85th to less than the 95th
percentile
Equal to or greater than the
95th percentile

TH

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