BMI (Body Mass Index)
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple measure of weight per height commonly used to classify health status of adults. This is calculated in metric as weight, divided by the square of the height (kg/m).
Example:
An adult weighing 85Kg and with height of 1.75m will have a BMI of = 28
The table below shows classification of health status according to BMI
| BMI (kg/ m) | Classification | Health risks associated with Obesity |
| Below 18.5 | Underweight | Low (risks associated with other clinical conditions increases) |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Normal range Average | |
| 25 and above | ||
| 25.0 – 29.9 | Obese | Moderate |
| 30.0 – 34.9 | First stage of Obesity | Increased |
| 35.0 – 39.9 | Second stage of Obesity | Severe |
| 40.0 and above | Third stage of Obesity | Very severe |
It should be noted BMI values, although an indicator of health, does not take into account your age and is the same for both sexes.
Furthermore BMI does not differentiate between muscle weight and fat weight. As a result the relationship between BMI and body fat content varies according to body build and body proportion. It has also been shown that BMI may not correspond to the same degree of fatness across populations due to factors such as diet, ethnic group and activity levels.
This demonstrates the importance of using more precise and accurate methods for estimating body composition and identifying individuals at risk.
The use of Maltron Body Composition Analysers can help to address such issues.