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Obesity is determined by measuring body weight and fat. There are different ways of calculating body fat. Body mass index (BMI) is one of the best methods used to measure body fat. It is a simple tool that helps to figure out the amount of excess body fat and the associated risks of carrying this extra weight. It can be applied to both men and women.
BMI is calculated as the ratio of the weight in Kg and height in square meter. Guidelines define overweight as a BMI between 25 and 29.9 kg/square meter and obesity as a BMI greater than 30.  Recommended BMI
Underweight BMI less than 18.5
Ideal BMI 18.5-25
Overweight BMI 25-30
Obese - should lose weight BMI 30-40
Very obese - lose weight now BMI greater than 40
(Find your weight on the bottom of the graph. Go straight up from that point until you come to the line that matches your height. Then look to find your weight group. The higher your BMI is over 25, the greater chance you may have of developing health problems. * Without shoes **without clothes)
| | Calculate your Body Mass Index | | | | | | | | The body mass index (BMI) is a statistical measure of the weight of a person scaled according to height. BMI is calculated as the individual's body weight divided by the square of their height.
BMI is frequently used to assess how much an individual's body weight departs from what is normal or desirable for a person of his or her height. The excess weight or deficiency may, in part, be accounted for by body fat although other factors such as muscularity also affect BMI. | | | | | | | | | | | | Below 16.5 | Severely Underweight | | 16.5 to 18.5 | Underweight | | 18.5 to 25 | Normal | | 25 to 30 | Overweight | | 30 to 35 | Obese | | 35 to 40 | Clinically Obese | | 40 and above | Morbidly Obese | | |
IMPORTANT: Please note that BMI is not as accurate if you are an athlete or very muscled (muscle weighs more than fat), as it can push you into a higher BMI category despite having a healthy level of body fat. It is also not accurate for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or people who are frail.
The BMI Calculator is only one guide about your overall health. Waist measurement, body fat level, blood pressure, cholesterol, physical activity, not smoking and the healthiness of your diet are also important. You need to get the whole picture.
Another method of assessing whether you're a healthy weight is to measure your waist. A measurement of more than 94cm (37in) for men and 80cm (32in) for women suggests you should try not to gain any more weight. An extra 8cm (3in) is an indication that your health will probably improve if you lose a little weight.
It's important to remember, however, that both these are only one measure of your health. Body fat percentage, blood pressure, resting heart rate, cholesterol and other measurements are at least as important. You need to get the whole picture.
Are you underweight?
We all know that being overweight can put your health at risk, but it can also suffer if you weigh too little.
If you're underweight because of a restriction of your diet, you're at risk of a number of nutritional deficiencies. Young women especially are at risk of anemia - a lack of iron - while insufficient calcium can lay the foundation for osteoporosis later in life. Amenorrhea (missing menstrual periods) is also common among women who are underweight and can lead to infertility.
Are you healthy but unhappy?
If your weight lies within the healthy range but you're unhappy with your shape, you're likely to derive more benefits from a supervised programmed exercise than by restricting your food. This will improve your fitness, help to tone specific muscle groups and enhance your overall health and wellbeing. Plan your diet to optimize your health.
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