Body Mass Index Worksheet

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is an estimate of overall disease risk. The BMI categories are not gender specific.  BMI is not a measurement of body composition (fat and lean mass). If you are pregnant, under 18, or involved with competitive athletics, the BMI may not be an accurate measure of your disease risk.

How to Calculate Your BMI

Usually, the BMI is calculated as a ratio of your weight in kilograms (kg) to your height in meters (m) squared or BMI = kg / m2. In terms of pounds (lb) and inches (in), you need to divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared and then multiply by 703 or BMI = (lb / in2) x 703.

To make things easier, plug your height and weight into the Online BMI Calculator available on the McKinley web site (http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/interactive/bmi_calculator.htm) or use the BMI Table on the next page.

Body Mass Index Interpretation

BMI BMI Interpretation

< 18.5
  • It is possible that your weight is unhealthfully low, putting you at higher risk for certain medical conditions.
  • Check with your healthcare provider to determine if weight gain is necessary.

18.5 - 24.9
  • Your BMI is in the healthy range.
  • There is generally no health advantage for you to lose weight.
  • Try to stay within this range throughout your life. Maintain healthful habits such as eating a balanced diet and engaging in regular physical activity.
  • Reassess your BMI at least every two years and talk to your healthcare provider if there are significant BMI changes.

25 - 29.9
  • If you have two or more cardiovascular disease risk factors (smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes), weight loss is indicated. In the absence of these risk factors weight maintenance is appropriate.
  • If you do not have cardiovascular disease risk factors yet choose to reduce weight, try a low fat, high fiber diet and regular physical activity.
> 30
  • Weight loss is indicated to improve health and reduce disease risk.
  • Start with the goal of reducing your current body weight by 10% using a low fat, high fiber, calorie-reduced diet and regular physical activity.
  • Check with your healthcare provider before starting a strenuous exercise program.

Refer to the BMI index chart below.

BMI Table

To use the table below, find the appropriate height in the top row labeled Height. Move down to your weight (in pounds). The number at the right of the row BMI at that height and weight. Pounds have been rounded off. The printable PDF version has a BMI chart in a larger print size.

Height 4' 10" 4' 11" 5 feet 5' 1" 5' 2" 5' 3" 5' 4" 5' 5" 5' 6" 5' 7" 5' 8" 5' 9" 5' 10" 5' 11" 6 feet 6' 1" 6' 2" 6' 3" 6' 4" BMI

W
E
I
G
H
T 

I
N
 
P
O
U
N
D
S

 91 94 97 100 104 107 110 114 118 121 125 128 132 136 140 144 148 152 156 19
96 99 102 106 109 113 116 120 124 127 131 135 139 143 147 151 155 160 164 20
100 104 107 111 115 118 122 126 130 134 138 142 146 150 154 159 163 168 172 21
105 109 112 116 120 124 128 132 136 140 144 149 153 157 162 166 171 176 180 22
110 114 118 122 126 130 134 138 142 146 151 155 160 165 169 174 179 184 189 23
115 119 123 127 131 135 140 144 148 153 158 162 167 172 177 182 186 192 197 24
119 124 128 132 136 141 145 150 155 159 164 169 174 179 184 189 194 200 205 25
124 128 133 137 142 146 151 156 161 166 171 176 181 186 191 197 202 208 213 26
129 133 138 143 147 152 157 162 167 172 177 182 188 193 199 204 210 216 221 27
134 138 143 148 153 158 163 168 173 178 184 189 195 200 206 212 218 224 230 28
138 143 148 153 158 163 169 174 179 185 190 196 202 208 213 219 225 232 238 29
143 148 153 158 164 169 174 180 186 191 197 203 209 215 221 227 233 240 246 30
148 153 158 164 169 175 180 186 192 198 203 209 216 222 228 235 241 248 254 31
153 158 163 169 175 180 186 192 198 204 210 216 222 229 235 242 249 256 263 32
158 163 168 174 180 186 192 198 204 211 216 223 229 236 242 250 256 264 271 33
162 168 174 180 186 191 197 204 210 217 223 230 236 243 250 257 264 272 279 34
167 173 179 185 191 197 204 210 216 223 230 236 243 250 258 265 272 279 287 35
172 178 184 190 196 203 209 216 223 230 236 243 250 257 265 272 280 287 295 36
177 183 189 195 202 208 215 222 229 236 243 250 257 265 272 280 287 295 304 37
181 188 194 201 207 214 221 228 235 242 249 257 264 272 279 288 295 303 312 38
186 193 199 206 213 220 227 234 241 249 256 263 271 279 287 295 303 311 320 39

Source: Evidence Report of Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults, 1998.
NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

References

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dietary Guidelines for
Americans, 2005. 6th Edition, Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, January 2005.
USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. Body Mass Index and Health, Nutrition Insight 16, March, 2000.
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html  "About BMI for Adults." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. July 27, 2009.