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 | 24.7% | 35.5% |
19 | 24.9% | 35.7% |
20 | 25.1% | 35.9% |
21 | 25.4% | 36.2% |
22 | 25.6% | 36.4% |
23 | 25.8% | 36.6% |
24 | 26.1% | 36.9% |
25 | 26.3% | 37.1% |
26 | 26.5% | 37.3% |
27 | 26.8% | 37.6% |
28 | 27.0% | 37.8% |
29 | 27.2% | 38.0% |
30 | 27.4% | 38.2% |
Age | Male | Female |
---|---|---|
31 | 27.7% | 38.5% |
32 | 27.9% | 38.7% |
33 | 28.1% | 38.9% |
34 | 28.4% | 39.2% |
35 | 28.6% | 39.4% |
36 | 28.8% | 39.6% |
37 | 29.1% | 39.9% |
38 | 29.3% | 40.1% |
39 | 29.5% | 40.3% |
40 | 29.7% | 40.5% |
41 | 30.0% | 40.8% |
42 | 30.2% | 41.0% |
43 | 30.4% | 41.2% |
Age | Male | Female |
---|---|---|
44 | 30.7% | 41.5% |
45 | 30.9% | 41.7% |
46 | 31.1% | 41.9% |
47 | 31.4% | 42.2% |
48 | 31.6% | 42.4% |
49 | 31.8% | 42.6% |
50 | 32.0% | 42.8% |
51 | 32.3% | 43.1% |
52 | 32.5% | 43.3% |
53 | 32.7% | 43.5% |
54 | 33.0% | 43.8% |
55 | 33.2% | 44.0% |