BMI: Find Out More
Formula
Body mass index is calculated as [weight (pounds)/height (inches)2] x 703, or weight (kg)/height squared (m2) in metric measurements.
Source
The BMI Calculator on MSN Health & Fitness uses the formula and weight classifications outlined by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institutein cooperation with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Both organizations are part of the National Institutes of Health. These guidelines were published in 1998.
On the Web: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/e_txtbk/txgd/411.htm
The BMI Calculator on MSN Health & Fitness also adheres to the classifications of overweight and obesity referenced in the publication above, and uses the same gender-specific waist circumference measurements as a predictor of high health risks and morbidity.
Disclaimer
The guidance provided by the BMI Calculator is intended for use by adults aged 18 and higher. Additionally, the guidance provided by the BMI Calculator is not intended to replace the guidance of a health care professional.
Please consult a health care professional before starting a diet or exercise program. Read more.
Privacy Policy
The data you enter into the BMI Calculator may be saved via cookie unless you uncheck the “Remember my information” box. Read the Microsoft Online Privacy Notice for more information.
There is no way in hell I could ever be within the weight range of the BMI chart. I tell people in my area that I am morbidly obese according to BMI and everyone tells me I am crazy. So I would have to say who ever decided to use this formula based all their information on anorexic people
"can do math"... it's inherently obvious that bmi is just a statistical formula... Arbitrary ranges are applied to the masses. It's just a guideline. If you want to measure fat you'll need some calipers.
The interpretation of your BMI is definitely dependent on age, muscular physique, and sex.
The BMI methodology is flawed. The volume (and mass) of any three-dimensional shape - including the human shape - is proportional to the cube of any of the dimensions.
So, starting with a nominal sized and normal weight person, as height goes above or below the average, weight goes up or down proportionately with the cube of the height.
The official BMI formula uses the square of the height (not the cube). Some math-challenged idiot apparently decided that we are all two-dimensional paper dolls and created a rather silly formula that doesn't work. It's a shame that nobody understands arithmetic.
Using the official BMI formula, very short people are rarely fat and tall people are often obese!
Your BMI calculator sucks MSN. I'm 23 years old, 194lbs, and run a 5:30 mile barefoot, but your BMI index says I'm overweight? I also happen to know a man that's 255lbs and can run 2 miles in less than 13 minutes. Is he "overweight"?
I am wondering how in the hell you can use something so grossly off as a BMI indicator. By simply asking my hieght, wieght and waist size are and give me a BMI that list me as severely obese. My body fat is 14%, my waist is 38" however my chest is 54" my neck is 20" my upper arm is 19 1/2". By the way I am 49 years old.
I cannot believe that you would and do give out information like this without explaining that there are so many other things that need to be considered. I think this is so wrong and in fact could be dangerous. Some people would see what you just sent me and it could be resposible for them to just quit. So many people over wieght do!
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MSN Health & Fitness does not provide medical or any other health care advice, diagnosis or treatment.
