Do you want to hear this web page?
For translated web pages,
check the drop down menu for your language.
Select your language, click anywhere on this web page
and then click on this box to hear the web page.

EnglishItaliano EspanolCatala

Body Mass Index Calulator

A good way to assess your weight is to calculate your body mass index (BMI). BMI takes into account not just your weight, but also your height to indicate body fat. The goal for most people: a BMI that's over 18 and under 25.

Following are two BMI calculators.
One uses imperial units, pounds (lbs), feet (ft) and inches (in).
The second uses metric units, kilogram (kilos) and centimeters.

Simply click on the empty boxes for Weight and Height and then click the "Calculat BMI" button to display your BMI.
Click on the "Reset!" button to clear all information and to do a new calculation.

Imperial Body Mass Index Calculator

Weight: lbs.

Height: ft. in.

Body Mass Index

According to the Panel on Energy, Obesity, and Body Weight Standards published by American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, your category is:

Metric Body Mass Index Calculator

Weight (in Kilos) :

Height (in Centimeters) :

Body Mass Index :

About the BMI Calculator

A good way to determine if your weight is healthy for your height is to calculate your body mass index (BMI). Being overweight puts strain on your heart and can lead to serious health problems. These problems include:

•Heart disease
•High blood pressure
•Sleep apnea
•Type 2 diabetes
•Varicose veins

Your BMI estimates how much you should weigh, based on your height.

Use the chart below to see what category your BMI falls into, and whether you need to be concerned about your weight.

BMI	CATEGORY
Below 18.5	Underweight
18.5 - 24.9	Healthy
25.0 - 29.9	Overweight
30.0 - 39.9	Obese
Over 40	Morbidly obese

BMI is not always an accurate way to determine whether you need to lose weight. Here are some exceptions:

Body builders: Because muscle weighs more than fat, people who are unusually muscular may have a high BMI.

Elderly: In the elderly it is often better to have a BMI between 25 and 27, rather than under 25. If you are older than 65, for example, a slightly higher BMI may help protect you from osteoporosis.

Children: While an alarming number of children are obese, do not use this BMI calculator for evaluating a child. Talk to your pediatrician about the appropriate weight for your child's age.

 

In addition, a lot of other factors influence your health. These include:
 

•Blood pressure
•Blood sugar levels
•Cholesterol levels
•Diet
•Physical activity
•Smoking

Your BMI alone cannot predict your health risk, but most experts say that a BMI greater than 30 (obesity) is unhealthy. No matter what your BMI is, exercise can help reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Remember to always ask your doctor before starting an exercise program.