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 | 20.5% | 31.3% |
| 19 | 20.8% | 31.6% |
| 20 | 21.0% | 31.8% |
| 21 | 21.2% | 32.0% |
| 22 | 21.5% | 32.3% |
| 23 | 21.7% | 32.5% |
| 24 | 21.9% | 32.7% |
| 25 | 22.2% | 33.0% |
| 26 | 22.4% | 33.2% |
| 27 | 22.6% | 33.4% |
| 28 | 22.8% | 33.6% |
| 29 | 23.1% | 33.9% |
| 30 | 23.3% | 34.1% |
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | 23.5% | 34.3% |
| 32 | 23.8% | 34.6% |
| 33 | 24.0% | 34.8% |
| 34 | 24.2% | 35.0% |
| 35 | 24.5% | 35.3% |
| 36 | 24.7% | 35.5% |
| 37 | 24.9% | 35.7% |
| 38 | 25.1% | 35.9% |
| 39 | 25.4% | 36.2% |
| 40 | 25.6% | 36.4% |
| 41 | 25.8% | 36.6% |
| 42 | 26.1% | 36.9% |
| 43 | 26.3% | 37.1% |
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 26.5% | 37.3% |
| 45 | 26.8% | 37.6% |
| 46 | 27.0% | 37.8% |
| 47 | 27.2% | 38.0% |
| 48 | 27.4% | 38.2% |
| 49 | 27.7% | 38.5% |
| 50 | 27.9% | 38.7% |
| 51 | 28.1% | 38.9% |
| 52 | 28.4% | 39.2% |
| 53 | 28.6% | 39.4% |
| 54 | 28.8% | 39.6% |
| 55 | 29.1% | 39.9% |