Most of the people rely only on weighing scale to know if they are overweight. But body mass index (BMI) is better way to know about your total body fat according to your weight and height. By calculating body mass index you can easily conclude or get the idea that how much weight you have to lose or gain. So we can say that it gives you an idea of your health.
BMI tells us the approximate number for your body fat. To get more accurate number you have to go for skin fold thickness test, underwater weighing and computer tomography.
HOW TO CALCULATE BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)
Two things essentially required to calculate the body mass index is the height and weight of that particular person.
The formulas to calculate your body mass index are:-
1) Weight (in pounds)/ [height (in inches)]^2 *703
2) Weight (in kilograms)/[height(meters)]^2
First of all check your weight on the weighing machine or scale and note down the reading
Now measure your height with the help of measuring tape. If you have checked your weight in pounds then measure your height in inches and if you have checked your weight in kilograms then measure your height in meters.
After checking your weight and height multiply the height by the same number to get the square of that number.
Now divide the weight by the squared number. If the weight and height are in pounds and inches respectively then multiply the result by 703 to get your BMI. But if the height and weight is in meters and kilograms then do not multiply the result with 703 because the number you get after dividing is your body mass index.
Now check where this number lies on the BMI chart. If it is less than 18 then you are underweight, is less than 18.5 then you are thin, between 18.5 and 24.9 then it is considered as normal, 25 – 29.9 is taken as overweight and if it is more than 30 then it shows that you are obese.
OTHER WAYS TO CALCULATE BMI
1) BMI chart
Find your weight and height on the BMI chart and see the box where both meet. This number is your body mass index.
2) BMI calculator
Enter your height in the calculator and step on the scale to know your weight. As soon as the calculator receives your weight and height it calculates the body mass index.
Person having high body mass index has more chances of heart attack, diabetes and blood pressure.
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