The Body Mass Index is a useful measure of an individual's current weight related to an ideal body weight.
An ideal BMI is generally between 20.5 and 21.5.
A BMI greater than 30 is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and other health problems related to obesity.
To calculate your own Body Mass Index, enter your height (in feet and inches)
and weight (in pounds) in the spaces below. Then click where it says "Click to Calculate BMI - Will Appear Below."
A following table describes the health-risk significance of the BMI:
Men
Women
Risk Factor
<20.7
<19.1
Underweight. The lower the BMI the greater the risk
20.7 to 26.4
19.1 to 25.8
Normal, very low risk
26.4 to 27.8
25.8 to 27.3
Marginally overweight, some risk
27.8 to 31.1
27.3 to 32.2
Overweight. moderate risk
31.1 to 45.4
32.3 to 44.8
Severe overweight, high risk
> 45.4
> 44.8
Morbid obesity, very high risk
Sources: 1. Indiana University 2. Hamilton and Whitney's Nutrition Concepts and Controversies
