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 | 24.6% | 35.4% |
19 | 24.8% | 35.6% |
20 | 25.0% | 35.8% |
21 | 25.3% | 36.1% |
22 | 25.5% | 36.3% |
23 | 25.7% | 36.5% |
24 | 26.0% | 36.8% |
25 | 26.2% | 37.0% |
26 | 26.4% | 37.2% |
27 | 26.7% | 37.5% |
28 | 26.9% | 37.7% |
29 | 27.1% | 37.9% |
30 | 27.3% | 38.1% |
Age | Male | Female |
---|---|---|
31 | 27.6% | 38.4% |
32 | 27.8% | 38.6% |
33 | 28.0% | 38.8% |
34 | 28.3% | 39.1% |
35 | 28.5% | 39.3% |
36 | 28.7% | 39.5% |
37 | 29.0% | 39.8% |
38 | 29.2% | 40.0% |
39 | 29.4% | 40.2% |
40 | 29.6% | 40.4% |
41 | 29.9% | 40.7% |
42 | 30.1% | 40.9% |
43 | 30.3% | 41.1% |
Age | Male | Female |
---|---|---|
44 | 30.6% | 41.4% |
45 | 30.8% | 41.6% |
46 | 31.0% | 41.8% |
47 | 31.3% | 42.1% |
48 | 31.5% | 42.3% |
49 | 31.7% | 42.5% |
50 | 31.9% | 42.7% |
51 | 32.2% | 43.0% |
52 | 32.4% | 43.2% |
53 | 32.6% | 43.4% |
54 | 32.9% | 43.7% |
55 | 33.1% | 43.9% |