Understanding Your BMI
Healthy BMI range: 18.5 – 25 kg/m2
Healthy weight for your height: 59.9 – 81 kg
BMI Prime: 0.8
Ponderal Index: 11.1 kg/m3
What is BMI?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely accepted method of assessing whether your weight falls within a healthy range for your height. It is commonly used by medical professionals to help identify potential health risks.
BMI Classification (Adults)
| Classification | BMI (kg/m²) |
|---|---|
| Severe Thinness | < 16 |
| Moderate Thinness | 16 - 17 |
| Mild Thinness | 17 - 18.5 |
| Normal | 18.5 - 25 |
| Overweight | 25 - 30 |
| Obese Class I | 30 - 35 |
| Obese Class II | 35 - 40 |
| Obese Class III | > 40 |
Risks of Being Overweight
- High blood pressure and cholesterol
- Heart disease, diabetes, stroke
- Joint issues and sleep apnea
- Certain cancers
Risks of Being Underweight
- Malnutrition and anemia
- Weak immune system
- Hormonal/reproductive issues
- Higher surgical complication risks
Limitations of BMI
BMI does not distinguish between muscle, fat, and bone. Therefore, athletes or very muscular individuals may be categorized as overweight despite having a healthy body composition. BMI is a helpful guide, but not a perfect one—always consult a doctor for personalized health advice.
Other Metrics
BMI Prime: Ratio of your BMI to the maximum healthy BMI (25). A value above 1 means overweight.
Ponderal Index: A variation of BMI better suited for very tall or short individuals.
