What's your BMI?

BMI stands for Basal Mass Index. It has to do with your weight, and as the weight goes up it becomes a risk factor, a component of the metabolic syndrome.

Although you can make a gross estimate by the size of the shadow your body casts, there is a easy math to it. The constant is 704.5 multiplied with body body weight and twice divided with height in inches.
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BMI CALCULATION

704.5 X Weight in Pounds ÷ Height in inches ÷ Height in inches.
Check out MDCAL for auto-calculations of BMI and much more.

Examples
A weight of 120 lbs and height of 5 ft 4 inches calculates as:
704.5 x 120 = 84,540
84,549 ÷ 64 = 1,320.0375
1.320.0375 ÷ 64 = 20.64
BMI of 20.64 (normal range)

A weight of 250 lbs and height of 5 ft 8 inches calculates as:
704.5 x 250 = 176,125
176,125 ÷ 68 = 2,5909.073
2,5909.073 ÷ 68 = 38.089
BMI of 38.09 (Morbid obesity)

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CLASSIFICATION BY BMI

CLINICAL CLASSIFICATION

OBESITY CLASS

BMI (KG/m2)

Underweight

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< 18.5

Normal range

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18.5-24.9

Overweight

-

25.0 - 29.9

Obesity

I

30.0 - 34.9

Morbid obesity

II

35.0 - 39.9

Extreme obesity

III

40 and above


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FACTOIDS
- 60% of US adults are overweight and obese.
- 8 to 12 million, 3% to 5% are morbidly obese.
- Mortality increases exponentially from 40 BMI and upwards.
- $50 billion is spent annually in treating problems related to excess weight and obesity.
- Another $32 B is spent on OTC diet products and weight-loss programs.
- The long-term success rate for medical management (diet, behavior modification and appetite suppresants) is only 5% for the morbidly obese.
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RELATED SX ARTICLES
Metabolic Syndrome
Obesity

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