To compute Body Mass Index (BMI), you use your weight and height with the following formulas depending on the measurement units:
- Metric units (kilograms and meters):
BMI=weight (kg)height (m)2\text{BMI}=\frac{\text{weight (kg)}}{\text{height (m)}^2}BMI=height (m)2weight (kg)
For example, if you weigh 70 kg and are 1.7 meters tall:
BMI=701.7×1.7=702.89=24.22\text{BMI}=\frac{70}{1.7\times 1.7}=\frac{70}{2.89}=24.22BMI=1.7×1.770=2.8970=24.22
- Imperial units (pounds and inches):
BMI=weight (lb)height (in)2×703\text{BMI}=\frac{\text{weight (lb)}}{\text{height (in)}^2}\times 703BMI=height (in)2weight (lb)×703
For example, if you weigh 160 pounds and are 5 feet 8 inches tall (68 inches):
BMI=16068×68×703=1604624×703=24.3\text{BMI}=\frac{160}{68\times 68}\times 703=\frac{160}{4624}\times 703=24.3BMI=68×68160×703=4624160×703=24.3
Steps to calculate BMI:
- Measure your weight and height.
- Square your height (multiply height by itself).
- Divide your weight by the squared height.
- For imperial units, multiply the result by 703.
BMI is a number used to categorize weight status (underweight, healthy weight, overweight, obese) based on height and weight
