BMI Chart for Adults

[Visual graph showing BMI categories with dashed lines indicating subdivisions]

BMI Table for Children/Teens (CDC Classification, Ages 2-20)

BMI Chart for Children/Teens

[Growth charts showing BMI-for-age percentiles for boys and girls]

Health Risks

Risks Associated with Being Overweight (CDC)

• High blood pressure

• Abnormal cholesterol (high LDL, low HDL, high triglycerides)

• Type 2 diabetes

• Coronary heart disease

• Stroke

• Gallbladder disease

• Osteoarthritis

• Sleep apnea

• Certain cancers (endometrial, breast, colon, etc.)

• Reduced quality of life

• Mental health disorders

• Increased mortality risk

Risks Associated with Being Underweight

• Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies

• Osteoporosis

• Weakened immune system

• Developmental issues (in children/teens)

• Reproductive problems in women

• Surgical complications

• Increased mortality risk

BMI Limitations

While useful, BMI has limitations:

• Doesn’t distinguish between muscle and fat

• Affected by age, sex, ethnicity, and activity level

• Less accurate for:

  • Athletes (may show false overweight)

  • Elderly (may underestimate fat)

  • Children (must use age/sex percentiles)

For 90-95% of the population, BMI correlates well with body fat when used with other measures.

BMI Calculations

Standard Formulas

Metric Units:

BMI = mass (kg) / height² (m)

US Units:

BMI = 703 × mass (lbs) / height² (in)

Example (5’10”, 160 lbs):

BMI = 703 × 160 / 70² = 23.0

BMI Prime

Ratio of actual BMI to upper normal limit (25 kg/m²):

BMI Prime = BMI / 25

Ponderal Index

Alternative to BMI that cubes height instead of squaring it:

Metric: