BMI, or body mass index, measures a person's body fat based on his or her height and weight. This section of the eMedTV library discusses BMI in detail and provides links to additional information.
In order to calculate BMI, the only measurements you need are a person's height and weight. This segment of the eMedTV Web site contains the formula used to calculate BMI and provides information about interpreting results for adults and children.
A BMI calculator helps determines a person's body mass index. This section of the eMedTV library provides a BMI calculator that you can use to figure out your body mass index, as well as information to help you interpret your results.
A BMI chart allows you to find your body mass index without using the BMI formula. This eMedTV resource explains how this chart works. It also includes a BMI chart and information to help you understand your results.
As this eMedTV page explains, using the BMI formula is one way to determine a person's body mass index, which is an indirect measure of body fatness. This article explains how to use the formula with either the metric system or the English system.
This eMedTV Web page provides statistics indicating approximately how many Americans have an ideal BMI. Usually, a healthy range for adults is between 18.5 and 24.9; for children, it is normally between the 5th and 85th percentile.
BMI and weight are not the only factors to consider when assessing a person's risk for obesity-related health problems. This eMedTV article explains how waist circumference and other factors are used with BMI and weight when assessing health risks.
As explained in this eMedTV resource, there is no special BMI chart for women; it is the same measurement tool used by men. A BMI chart for women will work equally well for men.
It doesn't matter if you're calculating BMI for men or women -- it is done in the same way. This eMedTV article provides a formula that may be used to calculate BMI for men or women.
Using BMI for athletes may not result in an accurate assessment of body fat. As this eMedTV page explains, BMI may overestimate the level of body fat in athletes. This article looks at other ways of assessing athletes' body fat.
Statistics indicate that nearly 61 million American adults are obese. This eMedTV resource discusses obesity and BMI in detail and explains how BMI is used to determine if a person is overweight or obese.
