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The BMI (body mass index) is a calculation that gives doctors and nutritionists more information about weight status. While BMI doesn't give the full picture of a person’s health, it does give some information about a person's risk for diseases associated with being overweight.
Who can use it?
The BMI tool is suitable for anyone except those under 18 or over 60 years of age, or pregnant women. BMI does not take body composition into account. This means that an athlete or body builder might have a high BMI but not have increased health risk as their body fat percentage is low.
Instructions for calculator
- Enter your height in centimeters
- Input your weight in KG's
- Click the Calculate button.
- Your BMI will appear in the BMI box.
Interpreting the data
The BMI ranges are based on the effect body weight has on disease and death.
| Risk of associated disease according to BMI and waist Size |
| BMI |
Weight Category |
Waist less than or equal to
40 in. (men) or
35 in. (women) |
Waist greater than
40 in. (men) or
35 in. (women) |
| 18.5 or less |
Underweight |
-- |
N/A |
| 18.5 - 24.9 |
Normal |
-- |
N/A |
| 25.0 - 29.9 |
Overweight |
Increased |
High |
| 30.0 - 34.9 |
Obese |
High |
Very High |
| 35.0 - 39.9 |
Obese |
Very High |
Very High |
| 40 or greater |
Extremely Obese |
Extremely High |
Extremely High |
If your BMI is high, you may have an increase risk of developing certain diseases, including:
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular disease
- Dyslipidemia
- Adult-onset diabetes (type II)
- Sleep apnea
- Osteoarthritis
- Female infertility
Other conditions, including:
- Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
- Lower extremity venous stasis disease
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Urinary stress incontinence
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