How to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women mostly within the age range of 18 – 25. To calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI), divide your body weight in Kilogram by the square of your height in meters. That is to say the formula for BMI= kg/m2.

You can as well enter your weight and height using standard or metric measures. Then select “Compute BMI” and your BMI will appear below. A BMI of 25.0 or more is overweight, while the healthy range is 18.5 to 24.9.

However, you must note that BMI is not used for muscle builders, long distance athletes, pregnant women, the elderly or young children. This is because BMI does not take into account whether the weight is carried as muscle or fat, just the number.

Those with a higher muscle mass, such as athletes, may have a high BMI but not be at greater health risk. Those with a lower muscle mass, such as children who have not completed their growth or the elderly who may be losing some muscle mass may have a lower BMI. During pregnancy and lactation, a woman’s body composition changes, so using BMI is not appropriate.