Calculate Your BMI
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical measurement that provides an indication of an individual’s body fat in relation to their height and weight. This tool is commonly used to assess whether a person falls within a healthy weight range or if there is a potential risk of health issues associated with underweight or overweight conditions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies BMI into several categories:
Obese 30.0+
Overweight 25.0 – 29.9
Normal Weight 18.5 – 24.9
Underweight <18.5
While BMI provides a quick and accessible method for assessing body weight, it has limitations. It does not distinguish between muscle and fat, and individuals with high muscle mass may have a higher BMI despite having a low percentage of body fat. Additionally, BMI does not account for factors such as distribution of fat or differences in body composition between genders and ethnicities.
Despite its limitations, BMI remains a widely used screening tool in healthcare settings due to its simplicity and effectiveness in identifying potential weight-related health risks. It serves as a starting point for health assessments, guiding healthcare professionals in further investigations and personalized evaluations.