BODY MASS INDEX
You can calculate your body mass index by
your weight in kg
___________________
( your height in metres) 2
Then see where your BMI sits on the table below
BMI of >30 is said to be obese.
Currently there is a review of this measure as it is thought it might not be accurate for some races.
|
Classification |
BMI
(kg/m2 ) |
Risk
of other obesity related medical complications |
|
Underweight |
<18.5 |
Low (but
has risk of different set of other clinical problems) |
|
Normal range |
18.5-24.9 |
Average |
|
Overweight |
25.0-29.9 |
Mildly
increased |
|
Obese |
>30.0 |
|
|
Class
I |
30.0-34.9 |
Moderate |
|
Class
II |
35.0-39.9 |
Severe |
|
Class
III |
>40.0 |
Very
severe |
NB children's BMI is not calculated using this formula but rather by comparison with growth chart norms.