BMI Calculator

Body mass index (BMI) is a measurement used to identify the weight class of an individual. You cannot determine if you’re in the healthy weight category based solely on your weight as you wight may be dependent on various factors, such as your height. A tall and thin person can weigh considerably more than a short and chubby person. Nonetheless, individuals who are tall and thin may have better health if their weight is appropriate for their height.

Even when men and women have the same height, the optimal weight for them can be different. To determine if you’re within the healthy weight range, BMI tells if your weight is acceptable for your stature by comparing your weight to height. BMI is an effective tool for determining risk factors for diseases, particularly for conditions linked to obesity. A body mass index evaluation is necessary because excess body fat increases the probability of developing cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes, whereas low body fat leads to malnutrition.

To calculate effective medication doses, many healthcare providers use BMI. Normally, those with higher BMIs require higher doses. To maintain your general health, it is necessary to be knowledgeable of your BMI. A healthy body fat proportion aids in the absorption of vitamins and minerals. It also serves as your body’s source of energy, helps in controlling body temperature, and protects your organs.

Role of Body Mass Index

Body mass index is used by medical professionals as a screening tool for several diseases as well as to help detect different weight categories.
Different BMI ranges help us to identify different weight classes.

Different BMI ranges help us to identify different weight classes.

A low BMI can indicate health problems. Individuals who fall under the underweight category according to their BMI may be at an increased risk for certain health conditions such as:

• Anaemia (decreased RBC count)
• Malnutrition
• Infertility
• Osteoporosis (a condition that weakens bones)
• A weak immune system – infections and diseases are more common
• Dry skin
• Hair loss
• Irregular menstruation

If you are underweight, your doctor may request several blood tests with additional tests to examine your general health and determine whether you are malnourished.
Since being overweight is linked to several health issues, individuals are highly likely to develop the following health conditions:

• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Sleep apnea
• Heart diseases
• Gallstones
• Osteoarthritis
• Mental disorders such as depression
• Certain types of cancer, for example, breast cancer and colon cancer

Different health issues may develop from being overweight or underweight; however, a BMI cannot be treated as the lone indicator to identify these diseases. For instance, if your BMI indicates you as obese, your doctor might order specific blood tests to examine your general health.

How to calculate BMI?

Your BMI can be determined quickly and easily with the help of a portable calculator using a BMI formula. BMI calculators are also available on websites like LivLong, making it simple for you to calculate your BMI.

Steps to calculate BMI:

• Measure your height in meters and weight in kilograms
• Calculate the square of your height
• Divide the weight measured by the value of square of your height obtained in the above step

The BMI calculation formula is as follows:
BMI = Weight/(Height)2
E.g., Weight = 60 kg and height = 1 m and 65 cm
BMI = 60/(1.65 × 1.65) = 22.04
If the height is in feet and inches, convert the values in ft and inches into those in metres and cm, respectively.
E.g., Weight = 60 kg and Height = 5Ft and 10inches
1 ft = 0.3048 m and 1 inch = 0.0254 m.
Hence, 5ft = 0.3048 × 5 = 1.524 m and 10 inches = 10 × 0.0254 = 0.254 m.
Height = 1.524 + 0.254 = 1.778 m
BMI = 60/(1.778 × 1.778) = 18.98

This method is used if BMI is calculated manually at your home, a clinic, or a hospital. BMI can also be calculated with the help of an online calculator available on the LivLong website.

Limitations of the BMI calculator

• Muscle mass: BMI is an unsatisfactory assessment of your health because it only takes into account your height and weight. It does not account for what percentage of your weight is made up of muscle. Even if you are active and in good shape, your BMI will probably be higher if you have greater muscle mass.
• Bone density: Some individuals are larger framed (those who have greater wrist circumference) and have denser bones than others. Even when they are in good health and are not obese or overweight as compared to other individuals, people with larger frames are likely to have a higher body mass index.
• Age: Even if a person’s weight doesn’t change, ageing alters their body composition significantly, leading to a rise in visceral fat and a noticeable loss of muscle mass. BMI does not take into account visceral fat, which is considerably harmful.
• Gender: An increase in visceral fat is associated with fat deposition, which elevates body mass levels. Because ageing women have a redistribution of belly fat, these modifications are different in women from those in men. However, BMI cannot provide an accurate measurement of the physiological variation in body fat proportion between men and women.