
“You can use it to tell what percentage of your body is bone mass, muscle mass and body fat,” explains Mcdonough. DEXA is an imaging test that measures bone density. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).These other tools can help complete the picture:

“People’s average height and weight have also increased over the years, which further throws things off.”ĭempers and Mcdonough say you should take your BMI with a grain of salt if you are:Īdvertising Policy Five ways to measure your body fat (that aren’t BMI)ĭempers and Mcdonough say it’s best to view BMI as part of the puzzle. “At that time, they got most of their data from corpses, so that’s what healthy BMI ranges are based on,” says Dempers. BMIīMI is an old tool - it was developed almost two centuries ago. Check your weight classification in the BMI chart for men below. Health experts say a number between 18.5 to 24.9 is a healthy BMI for men. Weight in kilograms ÷ height 2 in meters = BMI (For example: 70 kilograms ÷ 1.7 meters 2 = 24.2). (Weight in pounds ÷ height 2 in inches) x 703 = BMI (For example: 150 pounds ÷ 65 inches 2 x 703 = 26.6). You can also use these formulas to calculate your BMI: To calculate your BMI, use this adult BMI calculator. “It can motivate people to jump-start a healthier lifestyle,” he explains.Īdvertising Policy BMI calculator for men “Many physicians use it because it’s a quick, affordable assessment for the general population: average-sized people who don’t exercise regularly,” says Dempers.īMI gives a fairly accurate measurement of where people fall in the weight range and whether the extra weight has them on the verge of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other conditions. “It’s the same BMI chart for men and women, even though women typically have more body fat than men,” adds Dempers.īut in a time-crunched society, the benefits of BMI measurements are clear. “But it doesn’t factor in body fat or muscle mass, so there are BMI limitations.”īMI is one-size-fits-all - it doesn’t account for naturally occurring body differences. Your number indicates if you’re in the healthy, underweight, overweight or obese range,” says Dempers. “BMI gives you an overall health assessment. Policy The 411 on BMI for menīMI uses math to measure your body fat: It’s your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared.

We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. When it comes to heart health it's best to focus on the things you can control in your everyday life.Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Managing your weight is important for your health. For this reason, the labels of ‘underweight’, ‘overweight’ and ‘obese’ can be unmotivating for some people and not effective in motivating positive behaviour change.
#Adult bmi calculator professional
Your BMI result is best interpreted by a health professional who has more information about your other heart disease risk factors and overall health. You can find more details about your BMI below. You are classified as and your risk of obesity related diseases is. children and teenagers aged 2-19, as growth charts should be used instead.anyone with a heart condition that affects the fluid balance in their body, such as heart failure.If your health professional sees your BMI increase, and you’re not trying to build muscle, this may show weight gain from fat that might be a risk to your heart health.

However, BMI can be useful to help your health professional see changes to your weight over time. People with a lot of muscle can be classed as ‘above the healthy weight’ range even if they’re lean and fit.īMI alone shouldn't be used to determine your risk of heart disease. This can be more of a risk than someone with a BMI above the healthy range that has more muscle.īMI is less accurate in very muscular or athletic adults because muscle weighs more than fat. the amount of fat and muscle in your bodyīMI does not recognise that some people in the healthy BMI weight range can have higher levels of body fat that you can’t see.In this group, a healthy BMI range would be higher. People who are Māori or Pasifika often have a higher bone density and more muscle mass. People of Asian descent can have more body fat on a smaller frame so for this group, a healthy BMI range would be lower.
The fat is often in different places on the body too.īMI is less accurate for certain ethnic groups. Men and women have different levels of fat. The following need to be considered alongside your BMI measurement: AgeĪs you get older, having a higher BMI can be helpful to protect against malnutrition or from having a fall. BMI is a guide for body size and isn’t accurate for everyone.
