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″ | 94.51 |
| 4′7″ | 91.11 |
| 4′8″ | 87.88 |
| 4′9″ | 84.83 |
| 4′10″ | 81.93 |
| 4′11″ | 79.17 |
| 5′0″ | 76.56 |
| 5′1″ | 74.07 |
| Height | BMI |
|---|---|
| 5′2″ | 71.70 |
| 5′3″ | 69.44 |
| 5′4″ | 67.29 |
| 5′5″ | 65.23 |
| 5′6″ | 63.27 |
| 5′7″ | 61.40 |
| 5′8″ | 59.60 |
| 5′9″ | 57.89 |
| Height | BMI |
|---|---|
| 5′10″ | 56.25 |
| 5′11″ | 54.67 |
| 6′0″ | 53.16 |
| 6′1″ | 51.72 |
| 6′2″ | 50.33 |
| 6′3″ | 49.00 |
| 6′4″ | 47.72 |
| 6′5″ | 46.48 |
| Height | BMI |
|---|---|
| 6′6″ | 45.30 |
| 6′7″ | 44.16 |
| 6′8″ | 43.06 |
| 6′9″ | 42.01 |
| 6′10″ | 40.99 |
| 6′11″ | 40.01 |
| 7′0″ | 39.06 |