Due to a wide variety of body types as well as distribution of muscle, bone mass, and fat, BMI should be considered along with other measurements rather than being used as the sole method for determining a person's healthy body weight.īMI cannot be fully accurate because it is a measure of excess body weight, rather than excess body fat. BMI is only an estimate that cannot take body composition into account. Limitations of BMIĪlthough BMI is a widely used and useful indicator of healthy body weight, it does have its limitations. Consult your doctor if you think you or someone you know is underweight, particularly if the reason for being underweight does not seem obvious. In some cases, being underweight can be a sign of some underlying condition or disease such as anorexia nervosa, which has its own risks. Potential complications as a result of surgery.Underweight women also have a higher chance of miscarriage in the first trimester

Possible reproductive issues for women due to hormonal imbalances that can disrupt the menstrual cycle.Growth and development issues, particularly in children and teenagers.Osteoporosis, a disease that causes bone weakness, increasing the risk of breaking a bone.Malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, anemia (lowered ability to carry blood vessels).Risks associated with being underweightīeing underweight has its own associated risks, listed below: Generally, a person should try to maintain a BMI below 25 kg/m 2, but ideally should consult their doctor to determine whether or not they need to make any changes to their lifestyle in order to be healthier. Generally, an increased risk of mortality compared to those with a healthy BMIĪs can be seen from the list above, there are numerous negative, in some cases fatal, outcomes that may result from being overweight.Body pains and difficulty with certain physical functions.Mental illnesses such as clinical depression, anxiety, and others.Certain cancers (endometrial, breast, colon, kidney, gallbladder, liver).Osteoarthritis, a type of joint disease caused by breakdown of joint cartilage.Higher levels of LDL cholesterol, which is widely considered 'bad cholesterol,' lower levels of HDL cholesterol, considered to be good cholesterol in moderation, and high levels of triglycerides.Below is a list of said risks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Chart for boysĬhart for girls Risks associated with being overweightīeing overweight increases the risk of a number of serious diseases and health conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) BMI-for-age percentiles growth charts. CategoryīMI chart for children and teens, age 2-20 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends BMI categorization for children and teens between age 2 and 20. The dashed lines represent subdivisions within a major categorization.īMI table for children and teens, age 2-20 This is a graph of BMI categories based on the World Health Organization data. It is used for both men and women, age 20 or older. This is the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended body weight based on BMI values for adults. Refer to the table below to see the different categories based on BMI that are used by the calculator. Being overweight or underweight can have significant health effects, so while BMI is an imperfect measure of healthy body weight, it is a useful indicator of whether any additional testing or action is required. These ranges of BMI vary based on factors such as region and age, and are sometimes further divided into subcategories such as severely underweight or very severely obese. Specifically, the value obtained from the calculation of BMI is used to categorize whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese depending on what range the value falls between. It is widely used as a general indicator of whether a person has a healthy body weight for their height. Note that the calculator also computes the Ponderal Index in addition to BMI, both of which are discussed below in detail.īMI is a measurement of a person's leanness or corpulence based on their height and weight, and is intended to quantify tissue mass. Use the 'Metric Units' tab for the International System of Units or the 'Other Units' tab to convert units into either US or metric units. The Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator can be used to calculate BMI value and corresponding weight status while taking age into consideration.

Body mass index calculator equation