BMI Calculator

The Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a metric that many doctors and medical health professionals use to determine whether a person possesses a healthy body weight. It is used as a general overall indicator of a person’s state of physical well-being. The Body Mass Index takes several factors of an individual into consideration such as the person’s gender, age, height, and weight. Of these, the height and weight are the key influencers.

The value that you obtain from a BMI calculator is then used to categorize you into any one of the following groups: underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. Since being either underweight or obese can lead to severe health issues in the long run, the BMI serves as a great way for healthcare professionals to identify whether you fall under any of the high-risk categories.

It also allows them to help you take prompt corrective measures to lower the risk of you developing any ailments or diseases due to having an unhealthy weight. Calculating your BMI is quite easy too, which you will get to see in the going forward. Furthermore, the Body Mass Index calculator is a highly versatile tool that can be used for determining the weight category of both adult males, adult females, and children as well. ^[1]

A BMI calculator is a dedicated tool that is used to quickly determine your Body Mass Index. With a Body Mass Index calculator, all that you have to do is input your age, your gender, your weight, and your height. The tool will then automatically apply the formula used to calculate your BMI index and would then show you the results. In fact, when you input your weight and your height into one of these calculators, what they essentially do is use a simple formula to arrive at your BMI value.    

The results that you receive can then be interpreted using the recommended BMI chart to determine the category that you fall under. A BMI calculator is highly useful, since it can accurately calculate your BMI irrespective of whether you use the metric system or other systems of measurement.  

There are several free Body Mass Index calculators on the internet that can help you measure your BMI index. You can use these calculators to quickly check your BMI. Then, based on the category that you fall under, as indicated by the BMI calculator, you can look for ideas and pointers to rectify your irregular body mass and bring your weight to the ideal level.^[2]

Calculating your Body Mass Index is extremely easy and takes only a couple of minutes. That said the BMI formula varies slightly depending on the type of measurement system that you use. Let us delve a little deeper into this topic to get more clarity.^[3]

BMI calculation formula for the 'SI' measurement system

The BMI formula for the metric system of measurement is as follows.

Formula: weight (kg) ÷ [(height (m)]²

To better understand the BMI calculator metric, we will now take up an example. Take Anup for instance. He weighs around 60 kilograms and measures around 1.7 meters in height. By inputting his values in the formula, we can get his BMI, which is as follows.

BMI of Anup = 60 ÷ (1.75)² = 19.6

Here, since Anup’s height is already in meters, the application of the BMI formula was quite straightforward. However, if his height were in centimeters or feet, you would have to first convert it to meters, before applying the formula. There are online calculators for this conversion too.

BMI calculation formula for the Imperial measurement system

The BMI formula for the imperial system is as follows.

Formula: weight (lb.) ÷ [(height (in)]² x 703

Let us again take up another example. Here is Dharmendra, who weighs around 220 pounds and measures around 63 inches in height. His BMI would look like this.

BMI of Dharmendra = 220 ÷ (63)² x 703 = 39

Again, if your metrics are in different units, you can convert those using online tools before using the BMI formula.

In order to be able to fully comprehend the concept of Body Mass Index, it is crucial to not just stop with the calculation part. Only by interpreting the calculated BMI values using the recommended body weight and BMI range can you ever hope to understand your Body Mass Index.^[4]

The following table clearly represents the categories based on BMI values.

By comparing your results with the values in this BMI index table, you can accurately identify the category that you belong to. For instance, if your BMI is less than 18.5, you are categorized as underweight. If your BMI falls in a range between 18.5 and 24.9, you are considered to be normal weight with a normal BMI. If your BMI falls in a range 25 to 29.9, you fall under the overweight category. If your BMI is 30 or more, you are considered to be under the obese category.

Both the underweight and the obese categories are usually considered by healthcare professionals to be high-risk. This is primarily because the individuals coming under these two categories are typically at higher risk of contracting ailments and diseases, as we will see later in this article.

Ideal BMI for men

When it comes to men and women, there are several physiological differences between the two genders. Therefore, it becomes necessary to determine the ideal BMI for men. The Body Mass Index is something that is dependent on a person’s overall height and weight, and so, there is a BMI chart for men that clearly outlines the range of BMI values and the various weight categories. Here is a brief look at the chart.^[5]

Due to the various physiological differences between the two genders, men tend to carry more muscle in their bodies. As a result, a man and a woman with the same BMI may both be grouped in the same category, but their body composition may be entirely different. The same is true for two men - one of whom is a regular person and the other an athlete. The athlete, due to higher muscle mass, may be in the overweight or obese category while being perfectly healthy. Therefore, overall, the BMI calculator for men simply shows how much excess body weight a person has, if any.

While being overweight and obese is generally considered high-risk, men falling under these two categories due to having more muscle in their bodies are not necessarily more prone to health risks. However, if you are an adult male who is sedentary with a high BMI, it may be a cause for concern.

Since the BMI is based on two factors - height and weight, the Body Mass Index tends to change with respect to these two values. Here is a comprehensive table that clearly illustrates how the BMI shifts with different heights and weights in men.

Ideal BMI for women

Just like how there is a range of BMIs for men; there are ranges of BMI for women too. You will find this in the BMI chart for women. Since the BMI depends on the height and weight of a person, these metrics are used in a BMI calculator for women as well, just like how they are used in a BMI calculator for men. BMI for women indicates how much excess weight a women of a certain height has, thereby making it easier to classify them as underweight, normal, overweight or obese.

That said women, in general, tend to have a higher percentage of body fat than men do. Therefore, for a man and a woman with the same BMI, the former may have more muscle, while the latter may have more body fat. Nevertheless, the BMI for women^[5] follows the same range as the BMI for men.

Here is a BMI chart for women that gives you a preview of the ranges of BMI and what they mean.

When you are using a BMI calculator for women, it helps to remember that women tend to put on more weight as they age. This is one of the reasons why some BMI calculators for women consider BMI cut-offs like 30, 32 and 33 instead, as normal.

However, broadly speaking, the same ranges are used for both men and women over the age of 20. To help you better understand how the BMI changes with height and weight, here is an illustrative table.

Ideal BMI for kids

A BMI calculator for kids can help you determine the body mass index for children. However, is the way the BMI is calculated different for kids than for adults? It turns out that there is a bit of a difference. Calculating the ideal body weight and BMI for kids^[6] differs from the method used for adults.

This is because the amount of body fat in a child’s body keeps changing as they grow up, unlike in the case of adults where it is mostly fixed. Here are the details about the child BMI calculator metrics.

• The formula used to calculate the BMI in children is the weight divided by the height in meters squared. This result is then multiplied by 703.
• The BMI of each child is then matched against the percentiles for other kids who are of the same age and gender.
• Percentile measures how a child compares to other children of the same gender, in the same age group.
• A child whose BMI falls in the 10th percentile, for instance, weighs more than 10% of the kids in his or her age group.
• Kids with a BMI that falls below the 5th percentile are underweight.
• A BMI between the 5th and 85th percentile is considered normal.
• Children with a BMI between the 85th and 95th percentile are considered overweight.

Using the BMI calculator from Bajaj Allianz Life is easy and simple. It takes just three quick steps to find out your body mass index. Here is a step-by-step guide to use the BMI calculator.

Step 1 : Enter your feet in height and inches.

Step 2: Enter your weight in kilograms.

Step 3: Press ‘calculate.’

The BMI calculator then shows you your body mass index. The BMI ranges on the meter shown help you understand how this metric is distributed. You can also view the BMI ranges and the category chart from the hyperlink shown in the calculator.

Using a BMI calculator online is easy, as you have seen. In fact, with Bajaj Allianz Life, you will find the BMI calculator in kg and feet all the most effortless to use, since there is no conversion of metrics involved. That said, what are the benefits of using a BMI calculator? It turns out that there are many advantages. Let us take a closer look at how using a BMI calculator online can be beneficial to you.^[7]

• It makes complex calculations easy for you, so you do not have to manually make calculations on your own.
• It saves you a lot of time, since you do not need to perform the math yourself.
• It is simple and straightforward; meaning even those who have only just heard about the concept of BMI can use it easily.
• It helps you keep track of your BMI, since you can simply go online and use the BMI calculator at any point in time, free of charge. 
• You can perform multiple calculations one after another – there is no limit to the number of times you can use it.
• You can make sense of the calculations since the BMI calculator itself shows you the meaning of the range your BMI falls in.
• Using a BMI calculator in kg and feet means you do not have to convert your metrics.

You know the ideal BMI ranges for adults and kids. However, what really happens if you are underweight? Isn’t less weight always better? Not really. Being underweight^[8] comes with its own set of problems, and, if left untreated, this condition could lead to many health troubles.

Here is a preview of some of the risks associated with having a less than normal BMI.

• Malnutrition, where your body does not get sufficient nutrients
• Vitamin deficiencies that can lead to many illnesses
• Anemia, which is the reduction in your body’s healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen
• Osteoporosis, where the bones become weaker, thus increasing the risk for injury and fractures
• Lowered immunity, which could expose you to many illnesses
• Issues in growth and development, particularly for children who are underweight
• Possibility of reproductive issues for women who are underweight, owing to hormonal imbalances that can interfere with the menstrual cycle
• A higher chance of miscarriage in the first trimester for underweight women
• An increased risk of mortality when compared with people who have a normal BMI

Being underweight can also be indicative of underlying diseases. Therefore, it is advisable to perform BMI checks often, and in case of a lowered BMI, it is best to visit your doctor for an exam.

Just like how being underweight can pose many challenges, being in the overweight BMI ranges also comes with many risks. If you suspect that you may be overweight or obese, it is best to get a quick BMI check done, so you can keep your health on track. Many people may be aware that being overweight^[8] is unhealthy, but they may not know the actual risks involved.

Here is a preview of some of the risks associated with having a higher than normal BMI.

• High blood pressure, which leads to many other health conditions
• Higher levels of LDL cholesterol, which is bad cholesterol for the body
• Lower levels of HDL cholesterol, which is actually good for the body in moderate quantities
• High levels of triglycerides, which can cause the arteries to thicken, increasing the risk of stroke or heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes, which affects the way your body processes blood sugar
• Increased risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
• Possibility of developing gallbladder problems 
• Osteoarthritis, which is a disease of the joints arising from the breakdown of cartilage
• Sleep apnea and breathing problems that can lead to insomnia or poor quality of sleep
• Higher risk for certain cancers like endometrial, gallbladder, kidney, breast, liver and colon cancers
• Body aches and difficulty performing physical functions
• A generally increased risk of mortality compared to those with a normal BMI

Therefore, it is best to stay active, eat well, and get enough sleep. That way, you can ensure that your weight remains ideal and that you have a healthy BMI. To know more about the ideal ranges, check the BMI table.

As you know by now, the BMI formula takes into account a person’s height and weight alone. While these are no doubt good metrics to consider, are they enough? Can a person’s height and weight alone be good indicators of their health? It turns out that there is more that is needed. Here is where the limitations of BMI^[8] come into effect.

BMI in adults

The BMI calculator metrics in adults, being limited to height and weight, do not account for excess body fat. All they indicate is excess body weight, which need not always mean more fat. Muscularity could contribute to added pounds. Conversely, someone who appears to be in the healthy weight range could actually have more body fat than ideal. 

Here are some other limitations of BMI in adults.

• At the same BMI level, older people tend to have more body fat than younger people do.
• Men tend to have less body fat than women with the same BMI level do.
• Muscular people and trained athletes may have higher BMIs because of higher muscle mass.

BMI in children

Just like how BMI has its limitations in adults, BMI in children also comes with some reservations. It may show excess body weight, but it does not account for body composition.

Sources:

https://www.calculator.net/bmi-calculator.html

https://familydoctor.org/bmi-calculator/

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html#Interpreted

https://www.active.com/fitness/calculators/bmi

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323446#body-mass-index

https://www.verywellfit.com/bmi-calculators-3879979

https://www.nitrocut.com/bmi-calculator/

https://www.calculator.net/bmi-calculator.html

https://www.drmalladi.com/tips-maintaining-healthy-bmi/