What is BMI?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. It applies to adult men and women aged 20+. While BMI doesn't directly measure body fat, it's a useful screening tool for weight categories.
BMI Formula
Metric: BMI = weight (kg) / [height (m)]²
Imperial: BMI = 703 × weight (lb) / [height (in)]²
BMI Limitations
- Doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat — athletes may have high BMI but low body fat
- Doesn't account for fat distribution (belly fat is riskier than hip/thigh fat)
- May not be accurate for elderly (loss of muscle mass)
- Doesn't account for bone density or frame size
Healthy Weight Ranges
For a BMI of 18.5-24.9:
- 5'4" (162cm): 108-145 lb (49-66 kg)
- 5'8" (172cm): 121-163 lb (55-74 kg)
- 6'0" (183cm): 136-184 lb (62-83 kg)