BMI Recommendations

Body mass index, or BMI, is the ratio of weight to height. As a person’s BMI increases, so does the risk for many diseases. However, body builders and other very muscular individuals may have a high BMI while not actually being over-fat. In this case, measuring waist size and body composition in addition to BMI is helpful to provide a more complete picture of what’s going on inside the body.

To calculate your BMI, use the following formula:

weight in pounds x 703

height in inches, squared

For example, a 5’8″ individual who weigh 195 would have the following BMI:

   195 x 703 = 137085 / (68 x 68) = 29.6

Now calculate your own BMI.

   Your weight in pounds __________ x 703 = __________ (a)

   Your height in inches squared __________ x __________ = __________ (b)

   a / b = __________, your BMI