Your BMI suggests you are within the healthy weight range for your height.
Healthy Weight
Your child’s BMI is at the 65th percentile for their age and gender.
Health Risk Assessment:
Low Risk: Being in the normal weight range is associated with the lowest risk for weight-related health problems.
Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR):
0.85
Your WHR indicates moderate risk. Fat distribution is moderately proportional.
BMI Gauge
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BMI Categories
Underweight: Below 18.5
Normal weight: 18.5 – 24.9
Overweight: 25 – 29.9
Obesity (Class 1): 30 – 34.9
Obesity (Class 2+): 35 and above
Health Tips
Maintaining your healthy weight is important. Here are some tips:
Continue eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
Stay physically active with at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week
Get regular health check-ups
Prioritize adequate sleep and stress management
Healthy Weight Range
For your height of 175 cm, a healthy weight range (BMI 18.5-24.9) would be approximately:
56.7 kg to 76.3 kg
Your current weight is within the healthy range.
Understanding BMI
What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value calculated from a person’s height and weight. It’s a simple screening tool used to categorize individuals as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese based on tissue mass (muscle, fat, and bone).
BMI Formula
BMI = Weight (kg) / Height² (m²)
or
BMI = [Weight (lb) / Height² (in²)] × 703
This simple calculation provides a value that doesn’t directly measure body fat but serves as a useful correlation to more direct measures of body fat for most adults between 18 and 65 years of age.
BMI Categories for Adults
BMI Range
Weight Category
Health Risk
Below 18.5
Underweight
Higher risk for nutritional deficiencies and osteoporosis
18.5 to 24.9
Normal weight
Lower risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes
25.0 to 29.9
Overweight
Increased risk for heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes
30.0 to 34.9
Obesity (Class 1)
High risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes
35.0 to 39.9
Obesity (Class 2)
Very high risk for serious health conditions
40.0 and above
Obesity (Class 3)
Extremely high risk for serious health conditions
BMI for Children and Teens
For children and teens (ages 2-19), BMI is calculated the same way as for adults, but the interpretation is different:
BMI Percentile Range
Weight Status Category
Below 5th percentile
Underweight
5th to less than 85th percentile
Healthy weight
85th to less than 95th percentile
Overweight
95th percentile or greater
Obese
Children’s body composition varies significantly with age. BMI for children uses percentile rankings compared to other children of the same age and sex.
Limitations of BMI
While BMI is a useful screening tool, it has several important limitations:
Doesn’t distinguish between fat and muscle: Athletes may have a high BMI due to increased muscle mass, not body fat.
Doesn’t account for body fat distribution: Where you carry fat is important – abdominal fat (apple shape) carries more health risks than hip and thigh fat (pear shape).
May not be accurate for all ethnicities: Different ethnic groups may have different body compositions and health risks at the same BMI.
Not applicable for pregnant women, the elderly, or very muscular individuals: These groups need different assessment methods.
Beyond BMI: Other Health Metrics
Waist Circumference
Measures abdominal fat, which is linked to higher health risks. Higher risk categories:
Men: Greater than 102 cm (40 inches)
Women: Greater than 88 cm (35 inches)
Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR)
Divides waist measurement by hip measurement. Higher risk categories:
Men: 0.9 or higher
Women: 0.85 or higher
Body Fat Percentage
Directly measures fat content. Healthy ranges vary by age and gender:
Men: 10-20% (age dependent)
Women: 18-28% (age dependent)
ABSI (A Body Shape Index)
Newer measure that uses waist circumference, height, and BMI. May better predict mortality risk than BMI alone, especially for those at normal BMI but with higher waist circumference.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics
BMI Variations by Age
BMI interpretation may vary by age group due to natural changes in body composition throughout life:
Children & Teens
BMI is compared to percentile rankings of other children of the same age and sex, as body composition changes rapidly with growth and development.
Adults (18-65)
Standard BMI categories apply. The healthy BMI range is generally consistent across this age span, though gradual increases in BMI may be expected with age.
Older Adults (65+)
Some research suggests that a slightly higher BMI of 25-27 may be beneficial for older adults due to the protective effects of additional reserves during illness.
Ethnic Variations in BMI Interpretation
Different ethnic groups may have different relationships between BMI, body fat percentage, and health risks:
Ethnicity
BMI Considerations
Asian
Higher health risks at lower BMI values. Some health organizations suggest overweight classification starting at BMI 23 and obesity at BMI 27.5 for Asian populations.
African American
May have lower body fat percentage at the same BMI compared to white populations. Some health risks may begin at higher BMI thresholds.
Pacific Islander
Often have higher lean muscle mass and bone density, which can lead to higher BMI without corresponding health risks.
Hispanic
May have different fat distribution patterns and health risk associations compared to non-Hispanic whites.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple yet valuable screening tool that uses your height and weight to estimate whether you’re at a healthy weight. While not a diagnostic tool, BMI can help identify potential weight-related health issues and serves as a starting point for evaluating your overall health.
How BMI Works
BMI provides a measure of body weight relative to height. It’s calculated using the formula:
BMI = Weight (kg) / Height² (m²)
Example: A person who weighs 70kg and is 1.75m tall has a BMI of 70 ÷ (1.75)² = 22.9
This simple calculation provides a value that helps classify people into weight categories that may indicate different levels of health risk.
Adult BMI Categories (WHO)
Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
Normal weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9
Overweight: BMI 25 to 29.9
Obesity Class I: BMI 30 to 34.9
Obesity Class II: BMI 35 to 39.9
Obesity Class III: BMI 40 or higher
The Importance of BMI
BMI serves as an important health indicator for several reasons:
Health Risk Assessment
BMI correlates with certain health risks. Higher BMI values are associated with increased risk of conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and certain cancers.
Population Monitoring
Health organizations use BMI to track obesity rates and related health trends in populations, helping guide public health initiatives.
Clinical Screening
Healthcare providers use BMI as an initial screening tool to identify patients who may benefit from weight management interventions or further assessment.
BMI Limitations
While useful, BMI has several important limitations to consider:
Limitation
Explanation
Doesn’t distinguish between fat and muscle
A muscular athlete might have a high BMI despite having low body fat, while someone with little muscle and more fat might have a “normal” BMI despite having unhealthy body composition.
Ignores fat distribution
Where you carry fat matters for health. Abdominal fat (apple shape) is linked to higher health risks than fat carried in the hips and thighs (pear shape).
Not suitable for all populations
BMI categories may not be appropriate for children, pregnant women, the elderly, or certain ethnic groups who may have different body compositions.
Doesn’t account for other health factors
BMI doesn’t consider factors like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar, family history, or lifestyle, which are important for overall health risk assessment.
Beyond BMI: Additional Health Metrics
For a more comprehensive health assessment, consider these metrics alongside BMI:
Waist Circumference
Measures abdominal fat, which is more closely linked to health risks than overall body fat.
Increased Risk Thresholds:
Men: Greater than 40 inches (102 cm)
Women: Greater than 35 inches (88 cm)
Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR)
Compares your waist circumference to your hip circumference to assess body fat distribution.
Increased Risk Thresholds:
Men: WHR above 0.9
Women: WHR above 0.85
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BMI accurate for athletes?
BMI is less accurate for athletes and individuals with high muscle mass. Since muscle weighs more than fat, athletic individuals may have a higher BMI despite having healthy body fat levels. In these cases, additional assessments like body fat percentage, waist circumference, or more advanced body composition analyses provide more accurate health insights.
How often should I check my BMI?
For most adults, checking BMI once or twice a year is sufficient, typically during regular health check-ups. More frequent monitoring might be appropriate if you’re actively working to lose or gain weight under healthcare supervision. Remember that small fluctuations in weight are normal and won’t significantly impact your BMI.
Can I have a normal BMI but still be unhealthy?
Yes. This condition is sometimes called “normal weight obesity” or being “skinny fat” – having a normal BMI but high body fat percentage relative to muscle mass. Such individuals may still face metabolic health risks despite having a normal BMI. This highlights why BMI should be just one of several health metrics considered.
Does BMI apply differently across ethnic groups?
Yes. Research suggests that different ethnic groups may have different associations between BMI, body fat percentage, and health risks. For instance, people of Asian descent tend to have a higher percentage of body fat than white people at the same BMI, and may develop health risks at lower BMI thresholds. Some health organizations recommend using lower BMI thresholds (23 for overweight and 27.5 for obesity) when screening Asian populations.
This calculator used is only for informational purposes and licensed healthcare providers. It shouldn’t be taken as medical advice, diagnosis, medication dosages, or treatment. Always seek professional help from a physician or other medical worker to examine your condition.
