Here are the BMI standards as set by the World Heath Organization:
BMI | Category |
---|---|
< 18.5 | Underweight |
18.5 - 25 | Healthy Weight |
25 - 30 | Overweight |
> 30 | Obese |
In the United States, the average BMI for adults is 28.8.
Metric
BMI = kg / m2
Imperial
BMI = (lbs * 0.45359237) / (inches * 0.0254)2
Simplified
BMI = 703 * lbs / inches2
Body Mass Index is a very simplistic method of determining whether a person is overweight. It does not taken into account a person's frame, gender, or muscularity. Furthermore, at least one study has suggested that slightly overweight people may live longer than people in the "normal" range.
Nevertheless, BMI is highly correlated with body fat % and is a decent enough yardstick of a healthy weight.
Age | Male | Female |
---|---|---|
18 | 12.5% | 23.3% |
19 | 12.7% | 23.5% |
20 | 12.9% | 23.7% |
21 | 13.2% | 24.0% |
22 | 13.4% | 24.2% |
23 | 13.6% | 24.4% |
24 | 13.9% | 24.7% |
25 | 14.1% | 24.9% |
26 | 14.3% | 25.1% |
27 | 14.6% | 25.4% |
28 | 14.8% | 25.6% |
29 | 15.0% | 25.8% |
30 | 15.2% | 26.0% |
Age | Male | Female |
---|---|---|
31 | 15.5% | 26.3% |
32 | 15.7% | 26.5% |
33 | 15.9% | 26.7% |
34 | 16.2% | 27.0% |
35 | 16.4% | 27.2% |
36 | 16.6% | 27.4% |
37 | 16.9% | 27.7% |
38 | 17.1% | 27.9% |
39 | 17.3% | 28.1% |
40 | 17.5% | 28.3% |
41 | 17.8% | 28.6% |
42 | 18.0% | 28.8% |
43 | 18.2% | 29.0% |
Age | Male | Female |
---|---|---|
44 | 18.5% | 29.3% |
45 | 18.7% | 29.5% |
46 | 18.9% | 29.7% |
47 | 19.2% | 30.0% |
48 | 19.4% | 30.2% |
49 | 19.6% | 30.4% |
50 | 19.8% | 30.6% |
51 | 20.1% | 30.9% |
52 | 20.3% | 31.1% |
53 | 20.5% | 31.3% |
54 | 20.8% | 31.6% |
55 | 21.0% | 31.8% |