- Enter your weight, height, age, and select your activity level.
- Click "Calculate BMI" to calculate your Body Mass Index.
- See the interpretation of your BMI and estimated daily calorie needs.
- Your calculation history will be displayed below.
- Click "Clear Results" to reset the form and chart.
- Click "Copy Results" to copy the results to the clipboard.
Concepts
Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms (kg) by the square of their height in meters (m).
Formula
The following formula is used to calculate BMI:
BMI = weight (kg) / height^2 (m^2)
Interpretation
The BMI ranges for women are as follows:
| BMI | Category |
|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Normal weight |
| 25.0 – 29.9 | Overweight |
| 30.0 or higher | Obese |
Benefits
BMI is a simple and inexpensive way to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. It can be used by people of all ages and genders, including women.
Interesting facts
- Women tend to have a higher percentage of body fat than men, even at the same BMI.
- Women are more likely to develop weight-related health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, than men.
- BMI is not a perfect measure of body fatness, especially for women. It does not take into account muscle mass or body composition.
- BMI is most accurate for women between the ages of 20 and 65.
References
- Clinical Assessment of Nutritional Status by Robert J. Fanelli (2012)
- Obesity and the Body Mass Index: Or Why We Are Still Measuring Abdominal Obesity by Kelly Brownell and Joann E. Manson (2005)
- Body Mass Index and Mortality by Katherine M. Flegal, MD, MPH, and Barry M. Popkin, PhD (2001)
- Body Mass Index in Women: Implications for Health and Disease by Jean A. Shepherd, PhD, RD (2019)
Examples
The following table shows some examples of BMI calculations for women:
| Weight (kg) | Height (m) | BMI | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 1.6 | 19.5 | Normal weight |
| 60 | 1.7 | 20.8 | Normal weight |
| 70 | 1.8 | 24.2 | Normal weight |
| 80 | 1.9 | 27.1 | Overweight |
Applications
BMI can be used by women to track their weight over time and to assess their risk of developing weight-related health problems. It can also be used by healthcare professionals and public health officials to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems and to develop interventions to promote healthy weight.
Conclusion
BMI is a simple and inexpensive tool that can be used by women to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. It is important to note that BMI is not a perfect measure of body fatness and that other factors, such as muscle mass and body composition, should also be considered when assessing a woman’s health.
Additional considerations for women
Women should be aware of the following additional considerations when using a BMI calculator:
- Pregnancy: Pregnant women should not use BMI to assess their weight status.
- Menopause: Women who are going through menopause may experience changes in their body composition, which can affect their BMI.
- Muscle mass: Women who have a lot of muscle mass may have a higher BMI than women who have less muscle mass, even if they have the same body fat percentage.
If you are a woman and you are concerned about your weight or your health, you should talk to your doctor. Your doctor can help you to determine your healthy weight range and to develop a plan to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
