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Last updated date: 10-Mar-2024

Originally Written in English

What is BMI and what does a BMI calculator do?

    BMI is an acronym for Body Mass Index, and it is used as a tool for screening patients as it is believed to indicate if the weight of an individual is within normal limits according to their height. So, as mentioned, to calculate the BMI, the parameters needed are the weight and the height put in the following formula: BMI = kg/m2, for the metric system. In other words, BMI’s main purpose is to diagnose different stages of obesity, but the Body Mass Index alone cannot replace the more specific medical tests for this condition, which should be taken whenever the first assessment of the quickly done BMI indicated towards the diagnosis of obesity.

    Either the metric or the imperial systems of the BMI calculator can be used to obtain the measure of one’s body size and composition, but the BMI calculator formula must be changed accordingly:

    • BMI calculator in metric: BMI = kg/m2

          With the metric system, the heigh can be in meters or centimeters.If the individual height is measured in centimeters, it must be converted to meters, dividing it by 100, because the kg-cm BMI calculator doesn’t exist.

    • BMI calculator in imperial: BMI = lbs. x 703/in2

    BMI 

    Nutritional status

    <18.5

    Underweight

    18.5-24.9

    Normal weight

    25.0-29.9

    Pre-obesity

    30.0-34.9

    Obesity class I

    35.0-39.9

    Obesity class II

    >40

    Obesity class III

    Smart Body Mass Index

    Nutritional assessment

    Weight-related level of risk

    0/70 – 9/70

    Extreme anorexia

    Very high risk

    10/70 – 19/70

    Anorexia

    High risk

    20/70 – 29/70

    Moderate to underweight

    Moderate risk

    30/70 – 39/70

    Normal weight

    Low risk

    40/70 – 49/70

    Moderate overweight

    Moderate risk

    50/70 – 59/70

    Overweight to obesity

    High risk

    60/70 – 70/70

    Morbid obesity

    Very high risk

    Women

    Men

    Age

    Body fat percentage

    Age

    Body fat percentage

    18 to 21

    33%

    18 to 21

    22%

    22 to 29

    34%

    22 to 29

    23%

    30 to 39

    35%

    30 to 39

    24%

    Over 40

    36%

    Over 40

    26%

    % of body fat 

    Minimal amount

    Healthy amount

    Healthy FFM

    Men

    3%

    10-22%

    78-90%

    Women

    12%

    20-32%

    68-80%