Benefits of BMI Calculator

BMI Calculator

Body mass index (BMI) measures body fat. Your BMI is based on your weight and height. When you input your weight, height and size into a BMI calculator, you'll get an amount. This number is one way to tell if you're carrying an ideal or unhealthy weight.

Calculate Your BMI

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Once you have you have your BMI number, consult the table below to determine the need add weight to keep your weight, or lose weight.

BMI Chart- Adults (Age 20+)

BMI	Weight Status
Below 18.5	Underweight
18.5 - 24.9	Normal or Healthy Weight
25.0 - 29.9	Overweight
30.0 and over	Obese

It is important to note that the BMI calculator for adolescents and children differs than that used by adults. It uses height and weight however, it also takes into account gender and age. This is because female and male size and weight vary during growth and growth. For young children, BMI is expressed as percentages as compared with other children who are the same age and gender

BMI Chart- Children and Teens (Ages 2 to 19)

Weight Status	Percentile Range
Underweight	5 percentile percentile
Normal or Healthy Weight	5 th to <85 th percentile
Overweight	85 percentile to <95 the percentile
Obese	95 95% percentile or higher

If you're worried regarding your BMI or child's BMI, speak to your doctor.

Health improvement is the path to take

If your BMI indicates that you're obese or overweight you can lower you BMI by losing fat. This can be accomplished by following the standard weight loss tips including:

• Healthy eating. Choose lean meats or fruits, veggies, in addition to whole wheat. Cut down on alcohol, sugar, soft drinks, refined food, and juices. Consume fewer calories.
• Exercise regularly.This includes cardio and exercises that build muscle and reduce weight. This is effective in reducing belly fat. Belly fat can increase the risk for certain health conditions. Always consult your physician before starting an exercise regimen.
• Be aware of the portion control. Don't overeat during meals and snacks.

If your child's weight is high (above the 85 ^th percentile), talk with your doctor about ways you can assist child shed weight.

Things to be considered

If your BMI indicates that you're overweight or obese, it's possible that you may be susceptible to certain medical conditions. This includes arthritis, heart disease and certain types of cancer. BMI can't be used as a method to determine the presence of disease. But, it's an important indicator that should cause you to initiate a talk with your physician about ways to shed weight and decrease your BMI.

These tools should serve as guides only. Do not rely on them to make decisions about your health or your child's health. Always talk with your doctor regarding your medical condition(s) or other circumstances prior to making any lifestyle changes.

Questions for your doctor

• Should I be concerned with how much weight my child weighs?
• When should I begin to check my BMI? How often should I do it?
• What is my ideal weight?
• What is the ideal weight for my child?
• Does BMI include muscles?
• How can I reduce my BMI?
• What can I do to help my child lower his or her BMI?
• How long will it take to reduce BMI?