Calculating BMI

Here's the math behind the online calculators for body mass index (BMI). To find your BMI, first multiply your height in inches by your height in inches (you are squaring the number). Then divide your weight in pounds by that square number. Multiply that result by 703. The answer is your BMI. A healthy BMI falls between 18.5 and 24.9. Overweight is 25.0 to 29.9. Obese is 30.0 and greater.

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Body Mass Index Calculator

Rather than relying only on the bathroom scale to tell you if you're overweight, you should also know your BMI, experts say. BMI takes into account not just your weight, but also your height to indicate body fat. The goal for most people: a BMI that's over 18 and under 25.

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Sources
Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. 1998. Accessed at: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Faith H M, Pietrobelli A. Resistance to change of adulthood body mass index. International Journal of Obesity Related Metabolic Disorders. 2002 Oct. Vol. 26 (10): 1404—5. PMID: 12355339 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE].

This calculator is not intended to replace the evaluation of a healthcare professional.