What is my Body Mass Index (BMI) and what is normal body weight for my height? Which values of BMI indicate Anorexia?
Answer:
Do you weigh too much or too little? If you are over 15 years old, you can determine this by computing your Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is computed by taking your weight in kilograms, and dividing by the square of your height in meters. Lower down on the page, interpretation of the Body Mass Index for children is described.
You have a better chance of living a long and healthy life if your BMI is between 20 and 24. Interpretation of Body Mass Index for Adults: | |
BMI value | Description |
---|---|
below 16
|
serious anorexia |
16 to 17.4
|
underweight, anorexia |
17.5 to 20.0
|
normal weight |
20.0 to 24.9
|
normal weight, longest life expectancy |
25 to 29.9
|
overweight |
30 to 34.9
|
obesity |
above 35
|
grave obesity |
Note: Very well-trained people can have a somewhat higher BMI than other's without being overweight. |
Body Mass Index (BMI) for children
Compute the BMI for the child in the same way as for adults, using the tool above, and apply the BMI to the age of the child in the diagram below.