Warning!
This calculator is intended to serve as an informational tool only. Always look for a trained health professional for proper follow-up!
Table of Contents
- About the BMI calculator
- How to use the BMI calculator?
- What is BMI?
- Who invented BMI?
- How to calculate BMI?
- Understanding the calculation result
- Tips for controlling BMI
- BMI myths
- Frequently asked questions about the subject
About the BMI calculator
This free online BMI calculator will calculate your BMI based on your height and weight.
BMI or body mass index is an important body measurement that tells us whether or not we are at our ideal weight.
Although BMI is not an accurate measure of a person's health, and its result is best used in conjunction with other measures, it still has its importance.
The calculator comes with the WHO (World Health Organization) BMI classification table so you can identify your BMI classification.
The method used here is the method used internationally by Lambert Quételet. Read further in this article to understand the calculation to extract the body mass index.
Keep reading this article for answers to the following questions:
- How to use the BMI (Body Mass Index) calculator?
- What is BMI, and why is it important?
- How is BMI calculated?
How to use the BMI calculator?
To calculate your BMI, fill in the form fields as described below:
- Height: Enter your height in this field;
- Weight: Enter your weight;
After filling out the fields described above, simply click on the 'Calculate' button for the calculator to display the result.
If you want to redo the calculation with other data, click on the 'Clean' button to clear the form fields.
What is BMI?
The acronym BMI refers to the term Body Mass Index, which is the term given to the result of a calculation that aims to answer the height x weight ratio for a person.
Because it is a simple calculation, and is based only on a person's height and weight, BMI is not the most accurate measure to assess ideal weight, but it is a good reference and estimation measure.
A more accurate way of assessing a person's weight is bioimpedance, a test to analyze an individual's body composition.
Who invented BMI?
The creator of the BMI was Lambert Quételet, in the 19th century. He created a test to measure "the average man" based on an individual's height to weight ratio, as being overweight was not yet known to be harmful to health.
Only years later, Ancel Benjamin Keys, an American physiologist, proposed using the Quételet calculus as a way of measuring a person's body mass index for their health.
How to calculate BMI?
To calculate a person's BMI, we will need only two measurements of the person, height (in cm) and weight (in kg).
- Height: You can use a tape measure or stadiometer;
- Weight: Use a weight scale.
Write down the measurements taken and use them in the following formulas below:
BMI formula:
Weight / Height ^ 2
Or
Weight / (Height x Height)
Use our basic calculator to calculate formulas accurately.
Understanding the calculation result
After entering the height and weight into the calculator and clicking the calculate button, you will see the following result:
- Your BMI is: This is the result of the person's body mass index with the data entered;
- BMI categories: This is the BMI category table created by the World Health Organization, your BMI range will be highlighted.
Tips for controlling BMI
Understanding BMI is an important first step to maintaining good health, but controlling your BMI is what really matters. Here are some practical tips to help keep your BMI within a healthy range.
- Regular exercise: Exercise is key to maintaining a healthy BMI. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week for healthy adults. In addition, strength exercises to help build muscle and increase metabolism are also recommended;
- Balanced diet: What you eat has a big impact on your BMI. Maintaining a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats is key. Avoid processed foods and added sugars, and pay attention to your portions. Overeating can easily lead to an increase in BMI;
- Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can negatively affect the body's ability to regulate blood sugar and appetite, which can lead to an increase in BMI. Adults should try to sleep at least 7 hours a night to maintain a healthy BMI;
- Manage stress: Chronic stress can lead to increased production of cortisol, a hormone that is associated with increased belly fat and increased BMI. Find ways to manage stress such as meditation, breathing exercises, yoga or therapy.
- Monitor your BMI regularly: It's important to monitor your BMI regularly to ensure it stays within a healthy range. Use an online BMI calculator to calculate your BMI and check it every few months to make sure you're on track.
By following these practical tips, you can control your BMI and maintain good health. Remember that maintaining a healthy BMI is an ongoing effort and requires commitment and discipline, but the health benefits are well worth it.
BMI myths
Although BMI is widely used as a tool to assess a person's weight, there are many myths surrounding this calculation. Here are some of the most common BMI-related myths:
- Myth 1: BMI is the only indicator of health While BMI can be useful as a general health indicator, it is not the only factor to consider. It is possible to have a BMI within the healthy range and still have health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and others. On the other hand, a person can have a BMI above the healthy range but still be healthy and fit.
- Myth 2: BMI is the same for everyone BMI is calculated the same way for everyone, but that doesn't mean it's equally accurate for everyone. As mentioned earlier, factors such as age, gender, height and muscle mass can influence the result of the calculation. Also, BMI may be less accurate for people with medical conditions such as pregnancy, anemia, heart failure, cancer, and others.
- Myth 3: BMI is an accurate measure of body fat Although BMI is often used as a measure of body fat, it is not as accurate as other measurements such as skinfold measurement or bioimpedance analysis. BMI does not take into account the distribution of fat in the body, which can affect the risk of health problems. For example, abdominal fat is more dangerous than fat in other areas of the body.
- Myth 4: BMI equals a healthy diet BMI can be an indicator of whether someone is overweight or underweight, but it does not necessarily indicate the quality of the diet. It is possible to have a healthy BMI and still have a poor diet that is high in processed foods, sugar and saturated fat. Therefore, it is important to adopt healthy eating habits, regardless of BMI.
It is important to remember that BMI is only a tool for assessing a person's weight and should not be used alone to determine someone's health. In addition, there are many factors that can affect the result of the BMI calculation, and the quality of the diet and general lifestyle are more important for health than a number on the BMI scale.
Frequently asked questions about the subject
What does BMI mean?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a calculation that uses a person's height and weight to assess if they are at a healthy weight.
What is the range of values for a healthy BMI?
The range of values considered healthy for BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9.
What does a BMI below 18.5 mean?
A BMI below 18.5 indicates that a person is underweight.
What does a BMI between 25 and 29.9 mean?
A BMI between 25 and 29.9 indicates that a person is overweight.
What does a BMI above 30 mean?
A BMI above 30 indicates that a person is obese.
Is BMI a precise measure to assess a person's health?
BMI is a widely used measure to assess a person's health, but it is not a precise measure in all cases. In some cases, such as athletes or individuals with a high muscle mass, BMI may indicate that a person is overweight when they actually have a healthy percentage of body fat.
Is BMI the same for males and females?
The calculation of BMI is the same for males and females, but the values considered healthy may vary based on gender.
Can BMI be used to assess the health of children and adolescents?
The calculation of BMI for children and adolescents is done differently from adults, and the result is evaluated on a specific growth curve based on the child's age and sex. It is important to consult a pediatrician to assess the health of a child or adolescent.
Is it possible to have a healthy BMI and still have weight-related health issues?
Yes, it is possible to have a healthy BMI and still have weight-related health issues, such as having a high percentage of body fat or experiencing excessive fat accumulation in the abdominal region.
Is it possible to have a BMI above the recommended range and still be healthy?
Yes, it is possible to have a BMI above the recommended range and still be healthy, especially if the person maintains an active lifestyle and balanced diet. However, it is important to be aware of the risks of health issues associated with excess weight.
Read our articles on health and fitness
How to maintain your ideal weight
The benefits of regular exercise