Body Mass Index Calculator
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What Is Body Mass Index (BMI)?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely used standard measure to evaluate the height-to-weight ratio in adults, helping classify them into specific weight categories. It is often interpreted as a general indicator of body fat. Through the BMI calculation, you can be aware of the estimated amount of body fat you have. Leading healthcare providers calculate BMI using weight in kilograms and then divide it by the square of height in meters.
Metric units: weight (kilograms) divided by height squared (meters)
- BMI = kg/m2
In most people, BMI directly correlates with body fat. So, the higher the number, the more body fat you have. You need to remember that BMI alone doesn’t diagnose the health aspects of an individual. Healthcare specialists mainly use other tools, like BMI, to assess a person’s health status.
If an individual’s BMI is extremely high, they are prone to heart diseases like Type 2 diabetes, strokes, high cholesterol, and much more. On the other hand, if the body fat remains low, it may lead to malnutrition. So, your body needs the right amount of fats to help absorb minerals and vitamins effectively. The right amount of body fat can also become a source of energy for your body and protect your organs and body temperature.
What Is BMI Used For?
A specialised and well-trained dietician and nutritionist or a healthcare provider uses BMI to detect weight types as a screening tool for multiple ranges of health conditions, as given below:
- If the count is less than 18.5, you are underweight.
- If the count is between 18.5 and 24.9, you fall under the optimum range.
- If the count is between 25 and 29.9, an individual is considered to be overweight.
- The count between 30 and 34.9 represents Class I obesity.
- The count between 35 and 39.9 represents Class II obesity.
- If the count exceeds 40, the individual is suffering from Class III obesity.
BMI can easily screen certain health risks present within an individual. For example, if your BMI is less than 18.5, you may face some of the disturbing risks in your life. For example, your condition may lead to anemia, malnutrition, a weak immune system, infertility, and osteoporosis.
On the other hand, higher BMI can also lead to major diseases like Type 2 diabetes, high BP, heart disease, osteoarthritis, gallstones, sleep apnea, etc.
How Do I Calculate My BMI?
You can easily calculate your BMI with some simple steps as mentioned below:
- You have to first of all multiply your weight in pounds by 703.
- The answer has to be divided by your actual height in inches.
- Now divide that answer by your height again in inches.
This is the simplest way to get your BMI count with ease.
Importance of BMI in Health Assessment
Today, most people are concerned about their weight and understand the value of having a balanced diet. So, in this situation, BMI is playing a crucial role in health assessment.
- It allows health experts or dieticians to identify an individual’s weight-related health risks. Through this, you can easily understand if you are falling under the categories of normal weight, underweight, overweight or obese.
- The following weight categories can inform health practitioners of an individual’s risk factors, like diabetes, heart disease, high BP, etc.
- A higher BMI can work as a signal for you to adopt a healthier lifestyle. On the other hand, a lower BMI can alarm you about nutritional deficiencies.
Factors Affecting BMI Accuracy
BMI is a widely adopted health indicator, but it doesn’t always reflect precise body composition. There are many factors available that affect the accuracy of BMI.
- One of the significant factors is muscle mass. Most individuals or athletes with a muscular build tend to have a higher BMI even though their body consists of low body fat. This happens because the BMI can’t differentiate between fat and muscle. So, sometimes, it can tag healthy people as obese.
- Age is another integral element where the adults lose muscle and gain fat, but their BMI comes in the normal range.
- Gender is also a significant factor because women potentially carry more body fat as compared to men. However, the BMI scale remains the same for both sexes.
Role of BMI in Nutritional Counselling
BMI is a critical aspect of nutritional counselling as it helps professional nutritionists understand your weight status about your height. This way, they can easily evaluate your health concerns and can accordingly curate personalised nutrition plans to improve your overall health.
If your BMI remains high, the certified weight-loss nutritionists will guide you on a weight-loss plan. This includes portion control, balanced meals, and physical activities. Meanwhile, people with a low BMI count can expect proper guidance from expert nutritionists about nutrient-rich foods. Most importantly, BMI helps in setting proper goals. Through this, you and your nutritionist can strive to reach a measurable benchmark.
Calculate your BMI with Qua Nutrition
To understand your health better, you need to take your first step towards calculating your BMI. Here at Qua Nutrition, we can make it easy for you to calculate your BMI authentically. Our expert nutritionists consider an individual’s BMI to be the foundation for creating a personalized nutritional plan. We identify our clients’ weight types and accordingly get valuable insight into their potential health risks.
You can avail yourself of our expert guidance, and our customised diet plans can be a valuable infusion to make your lifestyle healthier. Our experienced nutritionists in India use your BMI count along with other practical health assessments to make your diet plans suit your body requirements, medical history, and fitness goals. So, let us make your health risk-free with the most accurate BMI count ever.
Q: What is the real purpose behind using a BMI?
A: BMI can be a useful tool to verify your health risks through your weight. It is generally calculated through your height and weight. With a balanced BMI, you can seek a healthier lifestyle.
Q: Is a high BMI always regarded as unhealthy?
A: No, BMI can majorly differentiate between fat and muscle. So, if you are extremely muscular or do bodybuilding, your BMI will remain high. But it doesn’t mean you are unhealthy.
Q: How can you plan your diet by evaluating your BMI?
A: At Qua Nutrition, we effectively evaluate your BMI with other assessment tools. According to the accurate count, we tailor a diet plan that suits your health goals, body type, and nutritional demands. Our experts always take care to offer personalized guidance for better results.
Q: Is BMI enough to assess my overall health status?
A: BMI can be considered to be a good start, but it certainly doesn’t reflect the complete status of your health. It just gives you a desirable count by comparing your weight to your height. This helps identify health risks related to being overweight or underweight.
Q: How often should an individual check their BMI?
A: It completely depends on your individual health goals to check your BMI. However, it is beneficial if you can check it every 6 to 12 months, as it is an integral part of your health assessment. If you are determined to reach a specific goal, you can verify your BMI more often.
BMI Calculator Chart
| BMI | Weight Status |
|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 - 24.9 | Healthy |
| 25.0 - 29.9 | Overweight | 30.0 - and Above | Obese |
