BMI Calculator

BMI Calculator

A body mass index (BMI) measures body fat. Your BMI is based on your weight and height. If you input the height as well as weight into a BMI calculator, you'll get a number. That number is one way to tell if you have healthy or unhealthy weight.

Calculate Your BMI

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Once you have obtained your BMI number, consult the chart below to figure out whether you require to gain weight, keep your weight, or lose weight.

BMI Chart- Adults (Age 20+)

BMI	Weight Status
Below 18.5	Underweight
18.5 - 24.9	Normal or Healthy Weight
25.0 - 29.9	Overweight
30.0 and above	Obese

The BMI calculator for adolescents and children is different in comparison to the adult version. It uses weight and height however, it also takes into account age and gender. This is because male and female weight and height change with growth and growth. For children, BMI is expressed as a percentile as compared to other children of the same age gender.

BMI Chart- Children and Teens (Ages 2 to 19)

Weight Status	Percentile Range
Underweight	<5 th percentile
Normal or Healthy Weight	5 to 85 th to <85 th percentile
Overweight	85 percentile to 95 85 th to 95 percentile
Obese	95 the percentile or higher

If you're concerned about your BMI or child's BMI, talk with your physician.

Path to improved health

If your BMI indicates you're obese or overweight you can lower your BMI by losing weight. This can be achieved using the most common weight-loss strategies for example:

• Dietary health is important. Choose lean meats as well as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit alcohol, sugar, processed foods, sodas, and juices. Consume fewer calories.
• Exercise regularly.This includes cardio and lifting weights to build muscle and lose fat. This is effective in controlling belly fat. The presence of belly fat increases the risk of certain health conditions. Always consult your physician before beginning an exercise program.
• Be mindful of your portion control. Don't overeat during meals and snacks.

If your child's BMI is too high (above the 85 ^{percentile), talk to your doctor.} percentile) Talk to your doctor about how you can assist child shed weight.

Things to consider

If your BMI shows you're overweight or obese, it's possible that you could be at risk for certain health conditions. This includes arthritis, heart disease and certain types of cancer. BMI isn't a way to identify the severity of disease. But, it's an important metric that should cause you to initiate a discussion with your doctor about how you can lose weight and reduce your BMI.

These tools should be used as a guide only. Don't trust them to make any decisions regarding your health or that of your child's. Always consult your doctor regarding your medical condition(s) or circumstances prior to making any changes to your lifestyle.

Questions for your doctor

• What should I do if I am concerned about my child's weight?
• When should I begin taking a look at my BMI? How often should I check?
• How much should I weigh?
• What is my child's ideal weight?
• Does BMI take into account muscle?
• How can I cut down my BMI?
• How can I help my child decrease the BMI of their child?
• How is the time it will take to reduce BMI?