Body Mass Index (BMI)
BMI is a ratio of your height to weight and is used to judge whether you are within a healthy weight range for your height.
How do I get my number?
It is a simple calculation based on your height (metres²) divided by your weight (kilograms).
For example:
If you weigh 75kg and are 1.8m in height
- Take your weight 75
- Multiply your height but itself 1.8 x 1.8 = 3.24
- Divide your weigh by this figure 75 / 3.24 = 23.15
BMI is a good tool for establishing whether the general population are within a healthy weight range and it provides guidance for individuals to understand what weight to aim for to be within a healthy weight range.
Although the BMI tool can be used successfully for most people caution should be used as there are some limitations and should not be used in isolation. For example, if a person has a muscular build they will weigh more and therefore could register a high BMI. In reality they could be athletic and as a result have a high percentage of muscle versus fat. They could be healthy after all.
BMI is an excellent guide to indicate if someone is over, under or around the correct weight for their height. It is a simple and non-invasive measurement
