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 | 23.2% | 34.0% |
| 19 | 23.4% | 34.2% |
| 20 | 23.6% | 34.4% |
| 21 | 23.9% | 34.7% |
| 22 | 24.1% | 34.9% |
| 23 | 24.3% | 35.1% |
| 24 | 24.5% | 35.3% |
| 25 | 24.8% | 35.6% |
| 26 | 25.0% | 35.8% |
| 27 | 25.2% | 36.0% |
| 28 | 25.5% | 36.3% |
| 29 | 25.7% | 36.5% |
| 30 | 25.9% | 36.7% |
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | 26.2% | 37.0% |
| 32 | 26.4% | 37.2% |
| 33 | 26.6% | 37.4% |
| 34 | 26.8% | 37.6% |
| 35 | 27.1% | 37.9% |
| 36 | 27.3% | 38.1% |
| 37 | 27.5% | 38.3% |
| 38 | 27.8% | 38.6% |
| 39 | 28.0% | 38.8% |
| 40 | 28.2% | 39.0% |
| 41 | 28.5% | 39.3% |
| 42 | 28.7% | 39.5% |
| 43 | 28.9% | 39.7% |
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 29.1% | 39.9% |
| 45 | 29.4% | 40.2% |
| 46 | 29.6% | 40.4% |
| 47 | 29.8% | 40.6% |
| 48 | 30.1% | 40.9% |
| 49 | 30.3% | 41.1% |
| 50 | 30.5% | 41.3% |
| 51 | 30.8% | 41.6% |
| 52 | 31.0% | 41.8% |
| 53 | 31.2% | 42.0% |
| 54 | 31.4% | 42.2% |
| 55 | 31.7% | 42.5% |