BMI Calculator Online Tool

Introduction to the Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body Mass Index (BMI) is widely used as an indicator of body fat content. Your weight alone is not sufficient to establish if you are in a healthy weight range. The ideal weight is likely to differ for men and women of similar heights.

BMI correlates your weight with your height and evaluates whether your weight is appropriate for your stature. Although not an exact measurement of body fat percentage, in most cases, BMI is a reliable tool for establishing risk levels for illnesses related to excess body fat.

How to Calculate BMI

To calculate your BMI, find out your weight and height first. Follow these two steps:

1. Multiply your height by itself (height X height).
2. Divide your weight by the answer you get in the first step.

The equations for calculating BMI are as follows:

BMI Categories for Adults

BMI for Children

In children, body fat content changes with age. It is also normal for teenage girls to have more body fat than boys. BMI calculation for children follows the same formula as adults. But the value is then plotted on standard gender-specific BMI-for-age percentile charts for children. It determines the child's weight status compared to children of the same gender and age.

For example, a 25th percentile BMI for a 6-year-old female child would indicate that the child's weight is higher than 25% of girls aged 6.

Health Risks Related to Being Overweight

Excess weight brings with it countless health complications, some of which can be fatal. A higher BMI than average (over 25) is associated with increased risks for diseases like:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart conditions
• Higher levels of LDL cholesterol and lower count of HDL cholesterol in the blood, increasing chances of coronary artery diseases and heart attacks
• High triglycerides
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Gall bladder-related complications
• Insulin resistance
• Osteoarthritis or breakdown of joint cartilage leading to painful joints
• Sleep apnea or intermittent breathing obstruction during sleep
• Atherosclerosis or building up of cholesterol deposits (plaques) in blood vessels (arteries)
• Skin health problems like skin tags, darkening of the skin
• Breathing trouble
• Hernia
• Varicose veins
• Cataract
• Gout
• Stress incontinence or urge to urinate frequently
• Certain types of cancer (breast, colon, endometrial, gall bladder, kidney, liver)
• Clinical depression and other mental health issues
• Poly-cystic ovarian disease in women leading to reduced fertility and other menstrual irregularities

Risks of Being Underweight

Having a BMI below 18.5 is also fraught with health risks, such as:

• Vitamin deficiencies
• Anemia (low red blood cell count and hence reduced capacity to carry oxygen)
• Diminished immunity or the ability to ward off infections
• Osteoporosis or brittle bones that break easily
• Malnutrition
• Developmental delays in children
• Hormonal imbalances
• Disruptions in women's menstrual cycle causing complications in conception

Being underweight can also be an indication of underlying health conditions like anorexia. Hence, if your BMI calculator shows a value matching the underweight category, you should consult a medical professional.

Conclusion

Due to the elevated stress of today's lifestyle and increased pollution levels, obesity and associated lifestyle diseases are rampant even among the youth. Thus, a BMI calculator in India is a useful tool as it helps you keep track of your weight. This, in turn, aids in taking precautionary measures early and maintaining a healthier lifestyle.