Body composition

The number everyone quotes, in context.

Calculate your BMI, see the healthy weight range for your height, and read plainly where the number misleads.

What this tool is

This tool divides your weight by the square of your height and places the result in a standard BMI category. It also applies the lower cut-points used for people of South Asian, Chinese and other Asian family background, and states plainly what BMI cannot see.

Takes: Under a minute
You need: Accurate scales, Your height

What you get

Your BMI to one decimal place
Your category against the cut-points that apply to you
The adjusted cut-points for South Asian and other Asian populations
The weight range that would sit in the healthy band at your height

How to use it

01Enter your weight and height in metric or imperial units.
02Set your ethnic background so the correct cut-points are applied.
03Read the category together with the stated limitations.
04Measure your waist as well, since waist-to-height ratio captures the central fat BMI misses.

Enter your height and weight to calculate your BMI.

What this cannot tell you

BMI was built to describe populations, not to diagnose individuals. It cannot tell muscle from fat, it cannot see where fat sits, and because the formula squares height it systematically over-reads in tall people and under-reads in short people. Treat it as a screening number and nothing more.

Sources

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