BMI or Body Mass Index is a measurement of an individual’s leanness or corpulence based on their height and weight, and is intended to quantify tissue mass. In simple words, it is a measurement to check whether you are a healthy weight for your height or not. It tells you that whether are an underweight, perfect weight or overweight according to your height. In this article, you will know how to measure BMI and what it indicates.
It is important because accurate assessments of obesity are important, as being overweight or obese significantly increases your risk of a variety of medical conditions including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. As levels of overweight or obesity increase, the spotlight has fallen on BMI and its shortcomings as a measure of ideal weight for individuals, rather than whole populations of people where ‘averages’ apply.
Page Contents
- BMI Table for adults
- BMI table for children and teens, age 2-20
- How To Measure Your BMI
- Limitations of BMI
BMI table for adults


This is the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended body weight based on BMI values for adults. It is used for both men and women, age 18 or older.
Category | BMI range – kg/m2 |
Severe Thinness | < 16 |
Moderate Thinness | 16 – 17 |
Mild Thinness | 17 – 18.5 |
Normal | 18.5 – 25 |
Overweight | 25 – 30 |
Obese Class I | 30 – 35 |
Obese Class II | 35 – 40 |
Obese Class III | > 40 |
BMI table for children and teens, age 2-20
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends BMI categorization for children and teens between age 2 and 20.
Category | Percentile Range |
Underweight | <5% |
Healthy weight | 5% – 85% |
At risk of overweight | 85% – 95% |
Overweight | >95% |
How To Measure BMI
You can measure your BMI by simply putting the values of your height and age in a BMI calculator.
Click here to get a BMI calculator.
The another way to calculate your BMI is by simple apllying this formulae.


After analysing your BMI, check whether you are normal, underweight or overweight.
Generally, BMI estimates do not apply on pregnant woman.
Limitations of BMI
BMI is widely used as a body mass indicator. Although, it has its own benefits. We all have a wide variety of body types, distribution of muscles and bone mass, BMI should not be considered as the sole method to determine a person’s health. It should be considered with all other methods to have the proper result of your health.
I hope this article helps you to get the basic knowledge of BMI, its significance and the way you can calculate it.
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