How to Calculate BMI & Metabolic Rate
BMI and BMR are two useful tools in fitness, weight loss and weight maintenance. Find out what they mean and how to calculate each below.
Instructions
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How to Calculate BMI
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1
Measure yourself and find your weight in pounds.
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2
Measure yourself and find your height in inches. There are 12 inches in 1 foot.
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3
Square your height. This means multiply it once by itself.
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4
Multiply your weight in pounds by 703.
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5
Divide the product of step 4 by the product of step 3. This is your BMI.
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6
The BMI scale is as follows:
A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered a healthy weight
A BMI of 25-29.9 is considered overweight
A BMI of 30+ is considered obese
A BMI of 40+ is considered morbidly obese
How to Calculate BMR
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7
Weigh yourself to obtain your weight in pounds.
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8
Measure yourself to obtain your height in inches.
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9
Insert the values into the BMR formula, called the Harris-Benedict equation.The formula to calculate Basal Metabolic Rate is as follows:
For men: BMR = 66 + ( 6.23 x weight in pounds ) + ( 12.7 x height in inches ) - ( 6.8 x age in year )
For women=BMR = 655 + ( 4.35 x weight in pounds ) + ( 4.7 x height in inches ) - ( 4.7 x age in years )BMR roughly calculates how many calories a body needs daily to sustain it's current weight.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Always talk to your doctor before starting a weight loss plan.
This basic BMR formula does not factor in level of activity or daily exercise.
BMI does not consider muscle mass. BMIs can be considered somwhat inaccurate for people with above or below average muscle mass.
