Advertisement
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Health's Top Stories
Get a weekly look at the most popular stories on Health.com.
Body mass index (BMI)
content provided by
Healthwise
Body mass index (BMI) is a number based on a person's weight and height that provides a way to estimate the effect of weight on health. The higher the BMI, the greater the risk of some diseases, including high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, some cancers, and type 2 diabetes.
To calculate exact BMI, one of the following equations is used:
- The person's weight in pounds and height in inches: BMI = (pounds x 700) divided by (inches squared)
- The person's weight in kilograms and height in meters: BMI = kilograms divided by (meters squared)
Last Updated:
January 14, 2010- Medical Review:
- Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
