What’s your BMI?
Are you within a healthy weight range for your height?
Body mass index, or BMI, is used to determine whether you are in a healthy weight range for your height.
- A BMI of less than 18.5 means a person is underweight.
- A BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 is ideal.
- A BMI of between 25 and 29.9 is overweight.
- A BMI over 30 indicates obesity.
It is useful to consider BMI alongside waist circumference, as waist measurement helps to assess risk by measuring the amount of fat carried around your middle.
BMI is a useful measurement for most people over 18 years old. But it is only an estimate and it doesn’t take into account
- Age: An older person tends to have more body fat than a younger person with an equal BMI.
- Ethnicity: Because of environmental and lifestyle factors. For example, compared to urban Chinese, Europeans have higher average BMI levels.
- Gender: At the same BMI, women will usually have more body fat than men
- Body composition: it does not take into account the person’s body fat versus muscle (lean tissue) content
I recommend you also check your waist measurement and other risk factors.
Speak to your doctor, an Accredited Practising Dietitian or a health practitioner about your weight.
This calculator shouldn’t be used for pregnant women or children.
You can check out the calculator below to calculate your BMI.