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 | 11.7% | 22.5% |
| 19 | 11.9% | 22.7% |
| 20 | 12.2% | 23.0% |
| 21 | 12.4% | 23.2% |
| 22 | 12.6% | 23.4% |
| 23 | 12.9% | 23.7% |
| 24 | 13.1% | 23.9% |
| 25 | 13.3% | 24.1% |
| 26 | 13.5% | 24.3% |
| 27 | 13.8% | 24.6% |
| 28 | 14.0% | 24.8% |
| 29 | 14.2% | 25.0% |
| 30 | 14.5% | 25.3% |
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | 14.7% | 25.5% |
| 32 | 14.9% | 25.7% |
| 33 | 15.2% | 26.0% |
| 34 | 15.4% | 26.2% |
| 35 | 15.6% | 26.4% |
| 36 | 15.8% | 26.6% |
| 37 | 16.1% | 26.9% |
| 38 | 16.3% | 27.1% |
| 39 | 16.5% | 27.3% |
| 40 | 16.8% | 27.6% |
| 41 | 17.0% | 27.8% |
| 42 | 17.2% | 28.0% |
| 43 | 17.5% | 28.3% |
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 17.7% | 28.5% |
| 45 | 17.9% | 28.7% |
| 46 | 18.1% | 28.9% |
| 47 | 18.4% | 29.2% |
| 48 | 18.6% | 29.4% |
| 49 | 18.8% | 29.6% |
| 50 | 19.1% | 29.9% |
| 51 | 19.3% | 30.1% |
| 52 | 19.5% | 30.3% |
| 53 | 19.8% | 30.6% |
| 54 | 20.0% | 30.8% |
| 55 | 20.2% | 31.0% |