Calculating BMI

Calculating BMI

The benefits of calculating your BMI

For many people calculating BMI is an easy way for them to determine how much weight they should lose. The BMI refers to the body mass index, which is used to estimate the best weight range you should maintain in order to be healthy. You can do this calculation yourself by dividing the weight (in kilograms) by the square of your height (in centimetres). The value is closely related to the amount of body fat that is on your body. There are differences in the BMI of individuals of the same age and sex because of the differences in height and weight. 

When calculating BMI, you have to get your weight and height and work out the formula. If you do not want to do the Math yourself, many Internet sites have the calculators that will instantly provide you with the answer. All you have to do is enter your weight, height sex and age and press the Compute button. You can then use the chart provided to determine where you fall on the BMI scale. A BMI of less than 18.5 means you are underweight and a BMI of over 24.5 means you are overweight. The normal body mass index falls between these two numbers. 

There are disadvantages to calculating BMI. The calculator does not distinguish between body fat and muscle mass. Someone who is overweight may have the same BMI as a person who is of the right weight for his/her height, but who is physically fit. There have also been suggestions that the numbers for the BMI should be different for people who are short. The numbers in the index look at normal height in the calculations of the amount of body fat.

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