Body Mass Index Levels
(for 21 years of age and higher)
|
Underweight
|
Below 18.5
|
|
Normal
|
18.5 to 24.9
|
|
Overweight
|
25 to 29.9
|
|
Obese
|
30 and above
|
About the Body Mass Index
The body mass index is a simple calculation that was developed over 100 years ago
to evaluate a person's weight. Although it is a useful and interesting tool,
it has two shortcomings:
1. It should be used to evaluate adults only and should not be used for people who
are still growing.
2. It can give misleading results for people who are not of "average"
musculature and build (for example, athletes and people with "stocky"
or slender frames).
BMI is calculated by dividing weight (in kilograms) by height (in
meters) squared.
BMI = W / H^2