BODY MASS
INDEX (BMI)
WHAT IS BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)?
• Body mass index (BMI) is a medical
screening tool that measures the ratio of
your height to your weight to estimate the
amount of body fat you have. Healthcare
providers calculate BMI by using weight in
kilograms (kg) divided by the square of
height in meters (m2).
•In most people, BMI correlates to
body fat — the higher the number,
the more body fat you may have
•— but it’s not accurate in some
cases. BMI alone does not
diagnose health. Healthcare
providers use BMI and other tools
and tests to assess someone’s
Who is BMI for?
The BMI calculator applies to most adults 18-65 years
old. It is less accurate for:
Muscle builders
Long-distance athletes
Pregnant individuals
Elderly populations
Young children
People with a physical disability
• People of certain ethnicities
• High body fat may lead to heart
disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes.
• Low body fat may be related to
malnutrition.
Just the right amount of body fat helps
vitamins and minerals get into your body.
It also provides a source of energy for
your body, helps maintain body
temperature and protects your organs
WHAT IS BMI USED FOR?
Healthcare providers use BMI to help
diagnose weight types and as a screening
tool for certain health conditions.
HOW DO I CALCULATE MY BMI?
DIAGNOSING WEIGHT TYPES WITH BMI
SCREENING FOR HEALTH RISKS WITH BMI
If you have a BMI less than 18.5 (underweight), you may be at
higher risk for developing the following conditions:
Malnutrition.
Anemia.
Weakened immune system, which could lead to more frequent
infections and illnesses.
Osteoporosis.
• Infertility.
If you have underweight, your healthcare provider will likely
order certain blood tests and other tests to check your overall
health and to see if you’re malnourished.
In general, the higher your BMI, the higher your risk for the
following conditions:
Heart disease.
High blood pressure (hypertension).
Type 2 diabetes.
Gallstones.
Osteoarthritis.
Sleep apnea.
Certain cancers, including colon, breast, endometrial and
gallbladder.
• Depression and other mental health conditions.
REFERENCE:
•https://my.clevelandclinic.org/
health/articles/9464-body-mass-
index-bmi
