BMI, or Body Mass Index, is a medical screening tool used to estimate a person’s body fat percentage. Both individuals and healthcare professionals rely on it alongside other tests to assess overall health. However, calculating BMI manually can be tedious for some. This is where BMI charts play a crucial role!
Using a BMI chart saves time and effort, providing instant results. Read this blog to learn more about BMI charts and how to use them to evaluate your health. But first, let us go through the BMI calculation process to understand why BMI charts are so important.
How to Calculate BMI for Adults?
The BMI of an adult can be determined by using a mathematical formula. The formula is: BMI = Weight (kg) ÷ Height (m²).
For instance: Suppose a person’s height is 177 cm (1.77 m) weighing 65 kg,
BMI = 65 / (1.77 * 1.77) = 65/ 3.13 = 20.77
The recommended range for a healthy BMI is considered to be 18.5 to 24.9. It determines that the individual falls within the normal weight range for their height.
Explore the standard BMI index table, which informs you about the various categories of BMI and their recommended ranges:
- Underweight: Less than 18.5
- Ideal range: BMI between 18.5 to 24.9
- Overweight: BMI between 25 to 29.9
- Class I obesity: Range between 30 to 34.9
- Class II obesity: Range between 35 to 39.9
- Class III obesity: More than 40
How to Calculate BMI for Children?
BMI calculation differs significantly for individuals under 20, as body fat levels change with age. A standardized growth chart is typically used for children and teens, displaying BMI as a percentile ranking.
BMI Formula Explained for kids:
Step 1: Multiply their weight (in kg) by 703.
Step 2: Multiply their height (in metres) by itself.
Step 3: Divide the result from Step 1 by the result from Step 2.
What Does a Child’s BMI Percentile Mean?
Paediatricians determine your child’s category using both the BMI number and the percentile. Below are the BMI percentile-ranges and corresponding weight status categories:
| BMI Percentile Range | Category |
| Less than 5th percentile | Underweight |
| 5th to 84th percentile | Normal / Healthy Weight |
| 85th to 94th percentile | Overweight |
| At or above 95% percentile | Obese |
In general, children should fall in the ranges between the 5th and 84th percentiles. Percentiles outside this range indicate a higher risk of health problems for your kid.
Manually calculating BMI can be tedious and time taking. This is where BMI charts help. BMI tables, presented in chart form, offer a straightforward way to determine your BMI.
What is a BMI Chart?
A BMI chart is an effective tool for doctors and individuals to evaluate a person’s body mass index or BMI score instantly and seamlessly. By using a BMI chart, individuals and healthcare professionals can determine if the person is in a healthy weight range or could be susceptible to weight-related health issues.
How to Read a BMI Chart?
BMI charts are another effortless way to evaluate your BMI score. The following brief guide will help you use the chart effectively:
Step 1: To assess your health using a BMI chart, you will need two things – your height (in metres) and weight (in kg) measurements.
Step 2: In the next step, you are required to identify your height in the chart. You can find this at the top or bottom of the BMI chart.
Step 3: Now, locate your weight on the left or right side of the chart.
Step 4: Then, trace your height and weight on the chart until they intersect. The box where they meet is your BMI number.
Remarkable Advantages of Using a BMI Chart
Utilising a BMI Chart for health monitoring offers several benefits:
1. Simple Way for Health Assessment
By using a BMI Chart, you can acquire a quick, easy-to-understand measurement of body weight associated with height. For this feature, it has become a widely accessible tool for both individuals and certified doctors.
2. Detecting Health Issues in Advance
After evaluating your weight status, the BMI Chart can help detect health concerns due to being underweight, overweight, or obese. It is always helpful to take prompt action and protective measures.
3. Instant Motivation for Making Lifestyle Changes
BMI calculation can be a tedious process for some, but reading a chart is super easy. It helps in regular monitoring, which motivates the majority of individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles. It acts as a practical goal-setting tool that helps track progress and encourages to take a proactive approach.
However, a common challenge with the BMI chart is its oversimplification of health status. Your overall health depends on several other significant factors, such as BMR, genetic predisposition, and body fat distribution.
What is Considered a Healthy BMI?
According to the experts, a healthy BMI is called a score that is between 18.5 and 24.5 for most adults.
Depending on your BMI score, you can fall into one of the following categories:
- When your BMI is Below 18.5 — the underweight range.
- When it is between 18.5 and 24.9 — a healthy weight range.
- If your BMI is between 25 and 29.9 — the overweight range.
- And if it is 30 or exceeds — the obese range.
Being underweight can lead to severe health complications including nutritional deficiencies and weakened immune system. On the other hand, high BMI can lead to an elevated risk of multiple health complications. So, maintaining a healthy BMI score is so important.
What are the Health Risks of Being Overweight?
Excess weight comes with numerous health complications, some of which can be life-threatening. The overweight range (between 25 and 29.9) is related to a higher chance of health issues like:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Chances of coronary artery diseases and heart attacks
- Gall bladder-related complications
- Insulin resistance
- High triglycerides
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Sleep apnea or intermittent breathing issues during sleep.
- Osteoarthritis or breakdown of joint cartilage
- Breathing trouble
- Hernia
- Atherosclerosis or developing cholesterol deposits in blood vessels (arteries)
- Skin issues like skin tags, darkening of the skin.
- Stress incontinence or urge to urinate frequently.
- Certain types of cancer (breast, colon, endometrial, gallbladder, kidney, liver)
- Varicose veins
- Cataract
- Gout
What are the Health Risks of Being Underweight?
Having a low BMI score (below 18.5) is also associated with serious health concerns, which are listed below.
- Anaemia (low red blood cell count)
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Weakened immune system or the ability to ward off infections.
- Malnutrition
- Osteoporosis or brittle bones that break easily.
- Hormonal imbalances
- Developmental delays in children
- Disruptions in women’s menstrual cycle
A BMI score below 18.5 may indicate chronic health conditions, including anorexia. Therefore, consult a medical professional as soon as you discover that you are underweight.
Assessing your health with a BMI chart is super easy. However, your journey to a healthier life should not stop there. If you are underweight, overweight, or obese, take prompt action and adopt protective measures to improve your well-being.
