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Body Mass Index Worksheet

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is an estimate of overall disease risk.  The BMI categories are not gender specific.  BMI is not a measurement of body composition (fat and lean mass).  If you are pregnant, under 18, or involved with competitive athletics, the BMI may not be an accurate measure of your disease risk.

Usually, the BMI is calculated as a ratio of your weight in kilograms to your height is meters squared.  To make things easier, the chart below uses pounds and inches.  Simply locate your height in inches on the left, and your weight in pounds across the top.  Follow the values down and across the chart.  Where they meet is your BMI value.

BMI BMI Interpretation
< 18.5
  • It is possible your weight may be un-healthfully low, putting you at higher risk for certain medical conditions.
  • Check with your doctor to determine if weight gain is necessary.
18.5 - 24.9
  • Your BMI is in the healthy range.
  • There is generally no health advantage for you to lose weight.
  • Try to stay within this range throughout your life.  Maintain healthful habits such as eating a balanced diet and engaging in regular exercise.
  • Reassess your BMI at least every two years and talk to your physician if there are significant BMI changes.
25 - 29.9
  • If you have two or more cardiovascular disease risk factors (smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes), weight loss is indicated. In the absence of these risk factors weight maintenance is appropriate.
  • If you do not have cardiovascular disease risk factors yet choose to reduce weight, try a low fat, high fiber diet and regular exercise.
> 30
  • Weight loss is indicated to improve health and reduce disease risk.
  • Start with the goal of reducing your current body weight by 10% using a low fat, high fiber, calorie-reduced diet and regular exercise.
  • Check with your physician before starting a strenuous exercise program.

If you are pregnant, under 18, a body builder or competitive athlete,
this tool may not be an accurate measure of health and /or disease risk.

Body Mass Index Chart

Body Weight (pounds)
Height
(inches)
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35
58 91 96 100 105 110 115 119 124 129 134 138 143 148 153 158 162 167
59 94 99 104 109 114 119 124 128 133 138 143 148 153 158 163 168 173
60 97 102 107 112 118 123 128 133 138 143 148 153 158 163 168 174 179
61 100 106 111 116 122 127 132 137 143 148 153 158 164 169 175 180 185
62 104 109 115 120 126 131 136 142 147 153 158 164 169 175 180 186 191
63 107 113 118 124 130 135 141 146 152 158 163 169 175 180 186 191 197
64 110 116 122 128 134 140 145 151 157 163 169 174 180 186 192 197 204
65 114 120 126 132 138 144 150 156 162 168 174 180 186 192 198 204 210
66 118 124 130 136 142 148 155 161 167 173 179 186 1952 198 204 210 216
67 121 127 134 140 146 153 159 166 172 178 185 191 198 204 211 217 223
68 125 131 138 144 151 158 164 171 177 184 190 197 203 210 216 223 230
69 128 135 142 149 155 162 169 176 182 189 196 203 209 216 223 230 236
70 132 139 146 153 160 167 174 181 188 195 202 209 216 222 229 236 243
71 136 143 150 157 165 172 179 186 193 200 208 215 222 229 236 243 250
72 140 147 154 162 169 177 184 191 199 206 213 221 228 234 242 250 258
73 144 151 159 166 174 182 189 197 204 212 219 227 235 242 250 257 265
74 148 155 163 171 179 186 194 202 210 218 225 233 241 249 256 264 272
75 152 160 168 176 184 192 200 208 216 224 232 240 248 256 264 272 279
76 156 164 172 180 189 197 205 213 221 230 238 246 254 263 271 279 287

Source of BMI Chart: Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 1995.


If you are a registered University of Illinois student and you have questions or concerns,
or need to make an appointment, please call: Dial-A-Nurse at 333-2700

 

If you are concerned about any difference in your treatment plan and the information in this handout,

you are advised to contact your health care provider.

 

Visit the McKinley Health Center Web site at: http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu


HEd. III-192

© The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, 2006.

Rev. 10-11-06

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