Body Mass Index

Using the BMI Table

What's Your BMI?

The BMI Table (aka body mass index table) is a helpful tool that’s used to determine your body fat percentage based on your weight in relation to your height.

However, I suggest you use it only as a guideline and don’t get overly hung up on the numbers as it’s not a measure of your body composition.

Neither does it take into consideration your particular bone structure.

Take a look at the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute’s BMI Table to look up your body mass index.

First find you’re your height in the left hand column of the chart, then follow that number across until you arrive at your present weight. Where the two columns meet is your Body Mass Index.

Alternatively, if graphs, charts and tables aren’t your thing, you can use our online BMI Calculator below:

Here’s what your BMI number means and how it's categorized:

Ideally, you want to aim for a BMI of anywhere between 19 and 25.

Although the Body Mass Index is used by health professionals, it has it's limitations.

It can’t accurately classify:

Athletes, muscular people, body builders (it doesn’t differentiate between lean body mass and body fat), pregnant or lactating women, young children, those under 5 feet tall and frail, elderly people with very sedentary lifestyles.

It also doesn’t take into account WHERE the fat is located on the body.

Some women may also be surprised to find that although they fall within a healthy weight category according to the BMI table, they may still need to lose belly fat.

As women approach peri-menopause and menopause, weight distribution tends to shift more towards the midsection and tummy area.

After the age of about 35, women typically lose approximately ½ pound of muscle per year.

As our muscle mass is decreasing, fat storage is increasing to the tune of approximately 1 ½ pounds of fat gained per year.

Because of this shift in weight and body shape, (caused by the fat-storing hormone, estrogen), the BMI table may not be as accurate for women after menopause.

Waist to hip ratio and waist circumference have been shown to be a more accurate measure of categorizing body fat percentage and assessing where your body fat is distributed.

Waist To Hip Ratio – Measure Your Health Risk

A simple, but telling test you can do in the privacy of your own home using only a tape measure and a simple calculation to measure your personal health risk.

Waist Circumference for Women

What’s the best waist circumference for women? Using only a tape measure, this simple measurement will help you determine what a ‘healthy’ waist circumference should be.

Online BMR Calculator

How many calories does your body need daily to maintain your present weight?

Calculate Your Daily Calorie Intake For Weight Loss

An easy method you can use to calculate how many calories you need to get to your ideal body weight.

Return to Belly Fat Blues Home from The BMI Table

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