PEPID Connect Help
View Tutorial
Contact PEPID Support
Suggest an edit
Current tool:
Current monograph:
Hello, PEPID User
PEPID
Hello, PEPID User
| | |
Subsections
Body Mass Index

{Equations}

(Open Calc) Body Mass Index

Background

  1. Inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight category
    • Metric system: a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters
    • Imperial system: divide weight in pounds (lbs.) by height in inches (in) squared and multiplying by a conversion factor of 703
    • BMI result weight ranges: underweight, normal/healthy weight, overweight, obese
  2. BMI has a strong correlation with body fatness; can be used as a screening tool but is not diagnostic of the body fatness or health of an individual
    • At the same BMI: women > men (body fat)
    • At the same BMI: Asians > Caucasian > African Americans (body fat)
    • At the same BMI: older people > younger adults (body fat)
    • At the same BMI: athletes < non-athletes (body fat)
  3. People who are in the obese category for BMI are at increased risk for comorbidities
    • All-causes of death (mortality)
    • Hypertension
    • Dyslipidemia
    • Type 2 DM
    • Coronary heart disease
    • Stroke
    • Gallbladder disease
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Sleep apnea
    • Chronic inflammation/oxidative stress
    • Certain malignancies e.g., endometrial, breast, colon, kidney, gallbladder, liver
    • Low quality of life
    • Mental illness e.g., depression, anxiety
    • Body pain/difficulty with physical functioning

Questions/Parameters

  1. Metric system formula: weight (kg) / [height (m)]2
    • Weight: kilogram (kg)
    • Height: meters (m)
    • BMI: Kg /m2
  2. Imperial system formula: weight (lbs.) / [height (in)]2 x 703
    • Weight: pounds (lbs.)
    • Height: inches (in)
    • Conversion factor constant: 703.0704 (multiplying with conversion factor constant converts imperial system values to Kg/m2)
    • BMI: Kg /m2

Score/Interpretation

  • BMI Score Interpretation
    BMI (Kg/m2) Weight
    < 18.5 Underweight
    18.5–24.9 Normal weight
    25.0–29.9 Overweight
    • 30.0–34.9 (class 1)
    • 35.0–39.9 (class 2)
    • ≥ 40.0 (class 3)
    		 Obese

References

  1. CDC- Centers for Disease control and prevention. About Adult BMI. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html. [Accessed February 2020].

Updated/Reviewed: February 2020