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.
| Height | BMI |
|---|---|
| 4′6″ | 91.14 |
| 4′7″ | 87.85 |
| 4′8″ | 84.74 |
| 4′9″ | 81.80 |
| 4′10″ | 79.00 |
| 4′11″ | 76.35 |
| 5′0″ | 73.82 |
| 5′1″ | 71.42 |
| Height | BMI |
|---|---|
| 5′2″ | 69.14 |
| 5′3″ | 66.96 |
| 5′4″ | 64.88 |
| 5′5″ | 62.90 |
| 5′6″ | 61.01 |
| 5′7″ | 59.20 |
| 5′8″ | 57.47 |
| 5′9″ | 55.82 |
| Height | BMI |
|---|---|
| 5′10″ | 54.24 |
| 5′11″ | 52.72 |
| 6′0″ | 51.27 |
| 6′1″ | 49.87 |
| 6′2″ | 48.53 |
| 6′3″ | 47.25 |
| 6′4″ | 46.01 |
| 6′5″ | 44.82 |
| Height | BMI |
|---|---|
| 6′6″ | 43.68 |
| 6′7″ | 42.58 |
| 6′8″ | 41.53 |
| 6′9″ | 40.51 |
| 6′10″ | 39.52 |
| 6′11″ | 38.58 |
| 7′0″ | 37.66 |