Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body Mass Index (BMI)

The Body Mass Index is a statistical measure of the weight of a person scaled according to height.  It can be tested for in several ways.  The most basic way is to calculate it on your own, using the equation: BMI = 703 x (Weight in pounds/height in inches2).  However, a more accurate way is to use a hand-held electronic Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) machine.  A screener will enter the individual’s height, weight, age, and gender into the machine.  The individual will then loosely grip two conductors on the side of the machine and hold it out in front of them so their arms are parallel to the ground.  The machine sends an undetectable electrical impulse through the hands of the individual and from that can provide a moderately accurate calculation of the individual’s BMI.

A human’s BMI will usually rank between 15 and 40. This number represents the relationships between your height and weight.  Below is a chart that interprets the results:

Category	BMI range
Starvation	less than 15
Underweight	from 15 to 18.5
Normal	from 18.5 to 25
Overweight	from 25 to 30
Obese	from 30 to 40
Morbidly Obese	greater than 40

Thus, it is important to have this test performed in order to get a general idea of your fitness and if you are in a healthy weight range.