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How to Calculate BMI and Understand the Results

By edwinseow | February 23, 2009

BMI stands for Body Mass Index and is a form of determining whether a person is at an ideal weight, is overweight or possibly obese. Since being overweight or obese puts you at a higher risk for diabetes and prediabetes, it is important for you to understand it. In this article, we will teach you how to calculate BMI.

BMI is actually a measurement of your weight in kilograms divided by your height in centimeters. I say this because the following equation will include calculations for proper conversion.

1. Weight (in pounds) x 0.45 (130 x 0.45 = 58.5kg)

2. Height (in inches) x 0.025 (64 x 0.025 = 1.6m)

3. Answer from step 2 x answer from step 2 (1.6 x 1.6 = 2.56)

4. Answer from step 1 ÷ answer from step 3 (58.5 ÷ 2.56 = 22.851)

The formula is:

The person, in this example, has a BMI of 22.85 or 23. Based on the calculations and the chart below, this person is within the “normal” weight status range. If however, he or she were to increase two points on their BMI, they would be categorized as “overweight”.

BMI	Weight Status
Below 18.5	Underweight
18.5-24.9	Normal
25-29.9	Overweight
30.0 & above	Obese

There are other factors that go into your overall BMI that are not calculated when going through online calculators or even in this equation. To understand how to calculate BMI, there are a number of other factors that come into play. As a matter-of-fact, the only person who could give you a true BMI measurement is a professional trainer, someone trained in the art of the body.

These calculations can be frustrating at times. Body type and muscle mass are two huge equivalents when it comes to a person true BMI. If you notice, neither of these is calculated here; nor are these factors taken into consideration when using an online BMI calculator.

Hip to waist ratios are another form for calculating BMI or determining where your fat ratio is. Simply divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement (31 ÷ 37 = 0.837). The person, in this example, would be considered to be at moderate risk of health issues. The ratio, given from this calculation, is designed to help you determine what risk level you are at for certain diseases - diabetes being one of those.

Waist to Hip Ratio Chart

Male	Female	Health Risk Based Solely on WHR
0.95 or below	0.80 or below	Low Risk
0.96 to 1.0	0.81 to 0.85	Moderate Risk
1.0+	0.85+	High Risk

These calculations are guidelines only! Do not run off and binge or starve yourself based on the results. The person used in both examples happens to be the same person. Therefore, as you can see, his / her BMI puts her at normal weight and states that they should keep up the good work. Yet her/his waist to hip ratio says that a diet may be necessary.

What these calculations do for you is give you a glimpse of the amount of fat you have on your body. If you are uncomfortable with the results and feel that you should work on lowering the calculations, then do so. Eating a diet rich in protein, vegetables, grains and fruit will begin to bring your bodies fat content down. Exercising, whether light or moderately, will speed your metabolism and also lowering your body’s fat content.

Now you know how to calculate BMI. You are also aware that these calculations are not full proof. Take them with a grain of salt. If you are truly concerned about your BMI, talk to a doctor or seek out a professional trainer. Professional trainers will do true measurements to determine proper eating and exercise plans - specifically for you. The main trick to having a healthy life and healthy BMI is to eat a healthy assortment of foods and get plenty of liquids, vitamins and exercise!