The measure of
fat
Posted
July 14, 2003
How do you know whether you're overweight?
For years, overweight and obesity were defined in terms of percentage
of pounds over an ideal body weight. But doctors and researchers now use
the body mass index, or BMI, a more accurate system that describes body
weight relative to height and is strongly correlated with total body fat
content in most adults.
To calculate your BMI, multiply your weight in pounds by 700, then
divide the result by your height in inches squared. For example, if you
are 175 pounds and 5 feet 8 inches, multiply 175 by 700 to get 122,500,
then divide that by 4624 (68 times 68) to get your BMI of 26.5.
A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 indicates a healthy weight. A person with a BMI
of 25 to 29.9 is overweight, and one with a BMI of 30 or above is obese.
The BMI numbers apply to both men and women.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of
Health, WebMD.com
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