Calculate your own Body Mass Index (BMI) - are you a Healthy Weight for your Height?

The Body Mass Index (BMI) serves as a straightforward measure to assess whether your weight is appropriate for your height. If your BMI falls outside the healthy range as an adult, you face an increased risk of various health issues associated with being overweight, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.

BMI accounts for the diversity in body shapes and sizes, which is why there exists a range of BMIs considered 'healthy' for adults of various heights. However, it's worth noting that BMI is not gender-specific and may misclassify individuals with significant muscle mass. For instance, heavyweight rowers or professional rugby players could register an "obese" BMI despite having low body fat. It's essential to recognize that such cases are exceptions and do not apply to the majority of individuals.

How to Calculate your BMI:

Calculating your BMI is a straightforward task that can be done in a couple of ways.

The traditional method involves pen and paper, or you can take advantage of online calculators that are readily available.

Things you'll need:

To calculate your BMI, you'll require your:

1. Weight (in kilograms)
2. Height (in meters)

Most people know their height, and you can easily measure your weight using a bathroom scale. It's best to do this in the morning after emptying your bladder.

BMI Calculations:

If you prefer to calculate your BMI manually, you can use the following equations:

if you know your height and weight.

Here is a Worked Example:

Adeel's body weight is 67 kg and his height is 172cm (or 1.72m). He wants to know if hisweight is healthy for his height.

Thus,

(Note: To calculate Adeel's BMI correctly, remember to square the value of his height in the denominator. Additionally, ensure the height value is in meters, not centimeters, for an accurate and meaningful result.)

Therefore, Adeel's BMI is 22.6 kg/m2.

Upon comparison with the World Health Organization's classification (click to enlarge), it becomes evident that Adeel's BMI falls within the healthy weight category.

Now it's your chance to discover your BMI! Are you curious to know where you stand? Don't worry, the process is easy. Just follow the simple instructions provided above, and you'll be able to calculate your BMI in no time.

Once you've completed the straightforward calculation, take a moment to explore the WHO BMI categories mentioned earlier. This will help you determine which category your BMI falls into. Did the result surprise you? It's always interesting to gain insights into our own health and understand how our bodies are doing.

Remember, your BMI classification is just a tool to provide you with general information about your weight status. It's essential to approach it with an open mind and not let it define your self-worth or body image. Embrace the opportunity to learn more about your health, and remember that each person's journey is unique and should be celebrated accordingly.