📊 BMI Categories for Adults

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines BMI classifications for adults, applicable to both men and women aged 20 and older.

Category	BMI Range (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

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📈 BMI Chart for Adults

The following graph represents BMI categories based on WHO data, with dashed lines indicating subcategories.

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👶 BMI for Children and Teens (Age 2–20)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides BMI classifications for children and adolescents.

Category	Percentile Range
Underweight	<5%
Healthy weight	5% - 85%
At risk of overweight	85% - 95%
Overweight	>95%

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⚠️ Health Risks of Overweight

Excess weight increases the risk of serious health conditions, including:

• 💓 High blood pressure
• 🩸 Elevated LDL ("bad") cholesterol, low HDL ("good") cholesterol, and high triglycerides
• 🍩 Type 2 diabetes
• ❤️ Heart disease and stroke
• 🫃 Gallbladder disease
• 🦴 Osteoarthritis
• 😴 Sleep apnea
• 🎗️ Certain cancers (e.g., breast, colon, kidney)
• 🧠 Reduced quality of life and mental health issues

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⚠️ Health Risks of Being Underweight

Being underweight can lead to health problems such as:

• 🥦 Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies
• 🦴 Osteoporosis and weakened immune function
• 🧒 Developmental issues in children and teens
• 👩‍🍼 Reproductive challenges in women

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🧮 Limitations of BMI

BMI does not account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution, making it an imperfect measure. For example:

• 🏋️ Athletes may have high BMI due to muscle mass, not excess fat.
• 👵 Older adults may have higher body fat despite normal BMI.
• 👩 Women generally have higher body fat percentages than men at the same BMI.

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📐 BMI Formula

The formulas for BMI calculation in different units are:

📏 US Units:

BMI = (703 × weight in lbs) / (height in inches)2

📏 Metric Units:

BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)2

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➗ BMI Prime

BMI Prime is the ratio of a person's BMI to the upper limit of the normal BMI range (typically 25 kg/m²):

BMI Prime = BMI / 25

Categories based on BMI Prime:

Category	BMI Prime
Severe Thinness	< 0.64
Normal	0.74 - 1
Overweight	1 - 1.2
Obese	> 1.2

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📏 Ponderal Index

The Ponderal Index (PI) is an alternative to BMI, more accurate for very tall or short individuals. The formula is:

PI = weight (kg) / height (m)³

Unlike BMI, which squares height, PI cubes it, making it a better indicator of body composition for extreme heights.

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✅ Conclusion: While BMI is a useful screening tool, it should be considered alongside other health assessments. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalized health guidance.

🛠️ How to Use Our Body BMI Calculator

Using our body BMI calculator is straightforward:

• 🔢 Enter your weight (in kilograms or pounds)
• 📏 Input your height (in centimeters or feet/inches)
• 🧮 Click Calculate to see your BMI score
• 📊 Instantly view your BMI value along with a health category

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❓ Why Use a Body Weight Index Calculator?

• ⚡ Quickly assess your health status
• 📈 Track weight changes over time
• 🎯 Set realistic fitness or weight loss goals
• 👨‍⚕️ Share results with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance

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✅ Benefits of Our BMI Calculator

• 👍 Easy to use with a clean interface
• ⚖️ Supports both metric and imperial units
• 🧾 Provides clear interpretation of BMI results
• 👩‍👧‍👦 Suitable for all ages and genders

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🌿 Take Charge of Your Health Today

Use our body index calculator regularly to stay informed about your weight and overall health. A healthy BMI is a crucial step toward a balanced lifestyle and long-term well-being.