What Is BMI?
The body mass index calculator measurement is the calculation of your body weight in relation to your height and is commonly used as an indicator of whether you might be in a risk category for health problems caused by your weight. Using a BMI calculator such as the one on this page, you enter your weight and height measurements.
Below are the BMI classifications for men and women established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and endorsed by leading organizations of health professionals. Reference: The practical guide: identification, evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults – National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
| Body Mass Index (kg/m2) | Classification |
|---|---|
| less than 18.5: | underweight |
| 18.5 – 24.9: | normal weight |
| 25 – 29.9: | overweight |
| 30 – 34.9: | class I obese |
| 35 – 39.9: | class II obese |
| 40 upwards: | class III obese |
Get Your Waist-Hip Ratio
What does the WHR measurement mean?
| Female | Male | Health Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 0.80 or lower | 0.95 or lower | Low health risk |
| 0.81 to 0.84 | 0.96 to 1.0 | Moderate risk |
| 0.85 or higher | 1.0 or higher | High risk |
Women with a ratio of 0.8 or below, and men at 0.95 or below are pear shaped. People with pear shaped bodies are in the lower risk category for health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer.
Women with a ratio of 0.85 or above, and men with a ratio of 1.0 or above are considered to have apple shaped bodies. Fat tends to gather around the middle, and apple shaped bodies face a high risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and even some types of cancer.