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BMI-Body Mass Index
By Patti Helsten Petrella
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a formula most often used by weight professionals to assess
whether a person is overweight, underweight or normal. You may want to use it in your
training program, so here is a quick lesson on how to use it. BMI gauges a person’s weight
status, body fat, and gives a fairly accurate predictions of health risks, that result from being
overweight.
Overweight is defined as an excess amount of body weight, including fat, muscle, bone and
water. Obesity is defined as an excess amount of body fat. Thus, an athlete or muscular
person may be overweight without being obese.
How to calculate BMI in American Units:
1. Measure and record your weight in pounds
2. Measure and record your height in inches
3. Body Mass Index = Weight [in pounds] X 704.5 divided by (Height [in inches] X Height
[in inches])
BMI Example
1. You are 5 feet 4 inches (64 inches)
2. Your weight is 175 pounds
3. Your BMI is: (175 X 704.5) divided by (64 X 64) = 30
In June 1998, the US Federal Government published guidelines, which create a new
definition of a healthy weight - a BMI of 20-24.99. So now a BMI of 25 to 29.99 is considered
overweight.
These are the new guidelines:
Under 20 (19 for women) = Underweight
Between 20 and 24.99 = Normal Weight
Between 25 and 29.99 = Overweight
Between 30 and 34.99 = Obese Class 1
Between 35 and 39.99 = Obese Class 2
40 and above = Extreme (Morbid) Obesity
Diseases associated with High BMI
• Hypertension
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Dyslipidemia
• Adult-Onset Diabetes (Type II)
• Sleep Apnea
• Osteoarthritis
• Female Infertility
• Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
• Lower extremity venous stasis disease
• Gastro esophageal reflux
• Urinary stress incontinence
Body Mass Index (BMI) Disease Risk:
BMI of < 20.00 - Risk = Moderate to Very High
20.00 to 21.99 - Risk = Low
22.00 to 24.99 - Risk = Very Low
25.00 to 29.99 - Risk = Low
30.00 to 34.99 - Risk = Moderate
35.00 to 39.99 - Risk = High
BMI of > 40.00 - Risk = Very High
Using the BMI has some limitations though. For example an athlete might have a great deal
of muscle and very little body fat, but might be classified as overweight because of their total
body weight. For the athlete, your percentage of body fat would be a better measurement.
Therefore exceptions to the BMI as a good predictor would include:
• Children and teens
• Competitive Athletes
• Pregnant or Nursing women
• People over 65
Another way of enhancing BMI results would be to measure your waist circumference,
because location of body fat is very important in overall health considerations.
A large waistline is associated with an increased risk for Type-2 diabetes, dyslipidemia,
hypertension, and CVD in patients with a BMI in a range between 25 and 34.9.
To Measure your waist:
Your waist is approximately 1 inch above your belly button. Measure without holding the tape
too tight or too loose.
Since it is important to measure your progress, you might want to try using the Body Mass
Index, especially if you have a fear of the scale.
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