Body Mass Index Information

Body Mass Index (BMI) is one of the methods of assessing healthy weight. It uses height and weight data.

To determine your Body Mass Index, find the intersection between your weight in pounds (top row) and height (left hand column). The number located at the intersection is your BMI number. For example, if your weight is 160 pounds and you are 5' 6" tall, then your BMI is 25.

(There are 14 pounds in a stone, so 160 pounds would be 160 divided by 14 = 11st 4lb approx.)

Interpreting Your BMI

• If your BMI is below 18.5, you are considered underweight.
• If your BMI is 18.5 to 24.9 you are a healthy weight.
• If your BMI is 25 to 29.9 you are considered to be overweight and may incur moderate health risks.
• If your BMI is 30 or higher, you are considered to be obese. Obesity is linked with increased risk of heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, increased risk of diabetes and cancer, and other health problems.

If your BMI is 30 or higher, it's advised you consult with your Doctor regarding losing some weight, at a pace and in a manner which is appropriate for you.

Anyone wishing to lose body fat, may wish to consider the Leptin Diet, which usually has the additional benefits of lowering high cholesterol, and normalising high blood pressure, as well as helping with blood sugar control. People with diabetes should work in conjunction with their primary diabetes advisor.

OK, you have now calculated your BMI, but what does it all mean?

First of all, let's be clear that your Body Mass Index DOES NOT measure BODY FAT.

It's possible for two people with the same BMI to have completely different levels of body fat. For instance, a bodybuilder who has a large amount of muscle mass and a low percentage of body fat, may have the same BMI as a person who simply holds extra fat. This is because BMI is calculated using weight and height only. Also, don't forget that muscle weighs more than fat.

BMI is not an accurate indicator for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also bodybuilders or athletes with well developed muscles, will have a higher BMI in spite of having healthy levels of fat, because muscle weighs more than fat, and the heavier weight will push them into a higher BMI category.

Therefore, whilst it's one of the indicators, BMI is not the only indicator of health risk.  It's just one of many factors which relate to the development of chronic disease.

Other factors that may need to be considered include:

• Diet
• Exercise
• Blood Pressure
• Blood Sugar Levels
• Cholesterol
• Waist-Hip Ratio
• Family Health History
• Tobacco Smoking

Measure your Waist-Hip Ratio here

Groundbreaking book "Mastering Leptin - The Leptin Diet: Solving Obesity and Preventing Disease" by Byron J Richards.

2nd edition 2005

For more information on this book, click here or on the picture

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Waist to Hip Ratio Information