How to Find Your BMI Index
Research shows that high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes are linked to obesity. You can help avoid these diseases by making sure that you have a healthy body mass index. Finding your body mass index requires a quick calculation of your weight and height, which determines how much body fat you have. A healthy body mass index is between 18.5 and 24.9. Knowing your body mass index gives you a starting point from which you can take action to lower your weight or, if your body mass index is normal, maintain a healthy lifestyle.
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Instructions
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Weigh yourself in pounds.
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Measure your height in inches.
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Square your height in inches. (Multiply the number by itself.)
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Divide your body weight by your height squared.
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Multiply the result by 703. The result is your body mass index. For example, if you are 150 pounds and 63 inches tall, calculate your BMI as follows: 150/(63x63) = 0.0377 x 703 =26.5.
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Compare your results to the following ranges: a body mass index below 18.5 indicates that you are underweight while normal range is 18.5 through 24.9. A body mass index of 25.0 through 29.9 indicates that you are overweight, while 30.0 through 34.9 is considered obese and anything over 40.0 is classified as extreme obesity.
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Tips & Warnings
There are many body mass index calculators available online.
If your body mass index is high, see a health care professional to have further testing done and determine if your excess weight is a health risk.
