BMI is an estimate of body fat and a good gauge of your risk for diseases that can occur with more body fat. The higher your BMI, the higher your risk for certain diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems, and certain cancers.
How do you calculate BMI to lose weight?
How to Calculate Your BMI. BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in pounds by the square of your height in inches, and then multiplying by a conversion factor of 703, according to the CDC
Your BMI will fit into one of 5 bands:
- under 18.5 – This is described as underweight.
- between 18.5 and 24.9 – This is described as the ‘healthy range’.
- between 25 and 29.9 – This is described as overweight.
- between 30 and 39.9 – This is described as obesity.
- 40 or over – This is described as severe obesity.
