Body Mass Index

Body Mass Index or BMI is a calculation, based upon a person’s height and weight. It is used to determine whether someone is underweight, a healthy weight or overweight.

There are numerous websites with BMI calculators which enable you to see if you are a healthy weight or not.

How do they work? You type in your height, weight and gender or select them from a series of drop down menus. Then click on ‘calculate’. You will also be given the option of an imperial or metric calculation.

As soon as you have done so you are shown your body mass index which you can compare with the weight categories as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO). These categories are as follows:

Body Mass Index Guide Index:

• Body Mass Index Intro
• BMI weight categories
• Who uses a BMI calculator?
• BMI ‘exceptions’

• Other factors with Body Mass Index
• Alternatives to Body Mass Index
• Is Body Mass Index still important?