Basal Metabolic Index is the name for the acronym BMI. It's commonly used as a simple way to look at a person's weight in proportion to their height. Everyone from insurance companies to nutritionists are using the BMI as a way to estimate ideal body weight. You probably know your BMI, but may wonder if it is really a good way to estimate whether your weight is at or near ideal, overweight, or obese. These are very valid concerns, and you may in fact find the BMI as a useful measurement or not, primarily depending on your body type.
BMI has inherent flaws that make it far from an optimal way to assess an individual's ideal body weight. It assumes that everyone is of the same general body habitus. This is silly when you think of it. Arnold Schwarzenegger at his prime as a body builder would have been labeled as obese using just BMI, and he probably had a percent body fat lower than most people with a BMI at the "optimal" range.
BMI is calculated using a simple formula, and is easily done using calculators available on-line or as apps for most mobile phones. The formula takes into account only two parameters, height and weight.
BMI= weight (lb) * 703 / Height squared (inches squared)
A BMI of 19-28 is considered ideal for most individuals. 28-30 is borderline. 30-35 is overweight. Over 35 is obese.is overweight and > 30 is obese. If you are very muscular, or have a short - wide body type these numbers are going to overstate the case for overweight or obesity for you, but it is still as standard and somewhat useful way to look at body weight.
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