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 | 27.9% | 38.7% |
| 19 | 28.2% | 39.0% |
| 20 | 28.4% | 39.2% |
| 21 | 28.6% | 39.4% |
| 22 | 28.9% | 39.7% |
| 23 | 29.1% | 39.9% |
| 24 | 29.3% | 40.1% |
| 25 | 29.5% | 40.3% |
| 26 | 29.8% | 40.6% |
| 27 | 30.0% | 40.8% |
| 28 | 30.2% | 41.0% |
| 29 | 30.5% | 41.3% |
| 30 | 30.7% | 41.5% |
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | 30.9% | 41.7% |
| 32 | 31.2% | 42.0% |
| 33 | 31.4% | 42.2% |
| 34 | 31.6% | 42.4% |
| 35 | 31.8% | 42.6% |
| 36 | 32.1% | 42.9% |
| 37 | 32.3% | 43.1% |
| 38 | 32.5% | 43.3% |
| 39 | 32.8% | 43.6% |
| 40 | 33.0% | 43.8% |
| 41 | 33.2% | 44.0% |
| 42 | 33.5% | 44.3% |
| 43 | 33.7% | 44.5% |
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 33.9% | 44.7% |
| 45 | 34.1% | 44.9% |
| 46 | 34.4% | 45.2% |
| 47 | 34.6% | 45.4% |
| 48 | 34.8% | 45.6% |
| 49 | 35.1% | 45.9% |
| 50 | 35.3% | 46.1% |
| 51 | 35.5% | 46.3% |
| 52 | 35.8% | 46.6% |
| 53 | 36.0% | 46.8% |
| 54 | 36.2% | 47.0% |
| 55 | 36.4% | 47.2% |