Rate Your Weight with BMI (Body Mass Index)

BMI (body mass index) is a valuable health predictor. The higher your BMI number, the higher the risk of health problems including coronary heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Body mass index (BMI) is a gender-free measurement that relates height to weight. To get your BMI, use the following equation:

Your weight (lbs)/Your height (in)² × 705

For a person who weighs 138 pounds and stands 5’3” tall, the equation looks like this:

BMI = W/H² × 705

= (138 pounds/63 × 63 inches) × 705

= (138/3969) × 705

= 24.5 BMI

Apply your BMI number to the following categories:

BMI	Status
<18.5	Underweight
18.5-24.9	Healthy
25-29.9	Overweight
>30	Obese
>40	Extremely obese

Source: The National Center for Health Statistics

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