BMI Charts
Yesterday we defined what BMI is and why it's an important measurement of overall health. Today, let's calculate our BMI, look at what each numeric range means and gawk at Renee as she *gasp* shares her BMI with the world 
You can calculate your BMI here.
If your BMI is below 18.5:
This indicates a lean BMI, indicating low body fat. In certain circumstances this can be desirable (e.g. an athlete). However, a low BMI can indicate that your weight may be too low which may lower your immunity to disease. If your BMI and body weight are low, you should consider gaining increased muscle mass through a healthy diet and exercise program.
If your BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9:
A BMI in this range indicates a healthy level of body fat. A BMI percentage in this range is associated with longevity, and a low incidence of serious illness. Studies have shown that this is the level that most people find aesthetically pleasing.
If your BMI is between 25 and 29.9:
A BMI in this range is considered to be overweight, and having an increased risk of associated disease. Ideally if you are in this range you should find ways to lower your weight. Start by changing to a healthy diet and undertake an exercise program.
If your BMI is between 30 and 39:
We have now reached the obesity range. It is essential that a lifestyle change is undertaken. A change to a healthy diet and regular exercise is essential. Why not check out Exercise At Home for a few exercises to try. If an individual is in this range and has a waist size greater than or equal to 40 in. (men) or 35 in. (women) then there is a very high associated risk of disease.
If your BMI is over 40:
This indicates an individual suffering from extreme obesity, and is in a very unhealthy condition. The excess body fat will put the individual at risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, gall bladder disease and some cancers. It is definitely time to change to a healthy diet and undertake a fitness program.
My Results : Your BMI is 33.6, indicating your weight is in the obese category for adults of your height. (I'm 5' 5"/196lbs)
My waist size is: 34"
Based on those two stats, I am at a higher risk for chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. 
At a minimum, anyone who is obese should try to avoid gaining additional weight. In addition, anyone who is obese should try to lose weight. Even a small weight loss (just 10% of your current weight) may help lower the risk of disease.
I will follow this up in 3 months, on 11/3, to see if it improved. Those doing the big F.A.T. challenge, follow along. If you are brave enough post your BMI/Waist size and check back in 12 weeks, I'll hound you offline to remind you 
Next week, we'll continue to look at other tools and charts to pay attention vs. the oh so popluar pound/kilo & scale.
Next entry: Body Fat
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16 Comments
08.03.06 | Mel Green commented: According to the calculations, my starting BMI in late December (before changing my dietary & exercise habits) was 36.6, & I've brought it down to 33.7 -- still in the "obese" category, but significant progress. I'm currently 5'2-1/4", about 184 lbs. (down from about 200 in late December). Waist circumference?... not sure, no way to measure it here at work, but it's at least three or four inches less than it had been, based on the new holes I've needed to punch in my belt.
According to the BMI measurements, I need to get down to 135 lbs. to no longer be obese or overweight. But of course the BMI doesn't take into account body composition, which counts a lot to me. I think I've lost significantly more body fat than indicated by my weight or BMI, & have offset it by muscle gain: muscle weighs about 2 to 3 times as much as the same volume of body fat. I still have significant amount of body fat to lose, but that's the stat I'm more interested in than either weight or BMI. I plan to purchase a body fat analyzer of some sort within the month, so that I can track my progress that way.
08.03.06 | renee commented: Good job Mel, I know I should preface these posts by saying, the tool is not the be all to end all, and to look @ all aspects vs. just relying on BMI to show fitness and health...I'll mention that next week.
By the by, this is the bodyfat calculator I use.
It also spits out BMI...it's pretty cool.
08.03.06 | angie commented: my bmi is 25.5 just slightly obese for my hight I am 5'4 and weight 144lbs. I got down to as low as 136lbs before holidays and gained alot while we were gone for the week. I was depressed because of the way the trip turned out plus got TOM just before we came home.
my waist is 35' I want to change that drastically before the en of this challenge. I am using www.sparkspeople.com to help me out following the diet guidelines extra using there tools. find it better then fitday and easier to use.
08.03.06 | iportion commented: Anngie
For some one 5'4
144lbs is Weight:
is 24.7 bmi, not 25.5 and you are a normal weigh. You are thinner than you think.
08.03.06 | Eve commented: I'm at 26.3 at the moment, which is right above the mark for being overweight, but my weight fluctuates ten pounds, which means I flip flop on the edge of being healthy and overweight constantly. It's so frustrating.
08.04.06 | Debbi commented: I just slipped from obese to overweight -- 29.6! Just think ... before the BMI numbers were lowered, I would have been normal!
But who wants to be normal, anyway?
08.04.06 | Lula commented: My BMI is 19.3 which means I'm in the healthy range! 
Thanks for the link!
08.04.06 | Shelley commented: I am going to play along with the BMI game and list my stats...even though I have a huge problem with the BMI in general. I think that there are so many variables, etc...and this height/weight indicator is so flawed...so, so flawed.
I am not saying I am not overweight...I know I am. My problem is that I think that it doesn't take other things into account.
My BMI is 28.4 which is classified as overweight and verging on obese. I am 5' 9" and for the most part...carrying extra weight, but very healthy...in terms of fitness level.
Now...what bothers me is that the indicator would say that my weight is in the normal range if I weighed 135 lbs. That to me is ridiculous. If I weighed 135 lbs, I would be sick. I would look anorexic at 135 lbs.
So...I think the BMI is an interesting tool, but I also think it could be dangerous, especially in our "thin is in" culture. I would hate to see someone with my frame and body type be convinced that they need to weigh 135 to be "normal" when in reality...it would not only be abnormal, but unhealthy to weigh that.
Anyways...end of rant.
08.04.06 | Trixie Belden commented: I'm not sure what my weight is - I don't own a scale - so I am estimating it at 250 lbs. I am 5'4", so my BMI is 42.9 - so depending on what site you go to I'm Obese or Extremely Obese. I think Extremely Obese starts at 40. It's hard to write that, but I've been seeing a lot of pictures of myself lately so it isn't all that hard to believe.
On a separate note, thanks to Renee for adding me to the blog roll! I've gotten a few visitors from other members of the fit roll! 
08.06.06 | Arindana commented: I've used that body fat calculator before at Curves. It was very cool. I didn't even know that general consumers could also buy. I wonder where I could find that in Canada.
I'll have to ask my friend who has a store dealing with medical supplies etc.
I find that actual BMI is typically higher than the generic charts. Depressing really. I'm in the extreme category. But I'm working on changing that.
I also made sure that I was tested for glucose and cholesterol. They both came back normal thankfully. My friend checked my blood pressure too when I dropped by his store to visit. It's also within normal range. Now my resting heart rate... we gotta work on that one.
08.06.06 | angie commented: iportion
it's not a matter of me being skinny enough it's a matter of me being comfortable and I am not comefortable at this weight. when my husband and I got togehter I got down to 125lbs and was comfortable I even liked how I looked but at the weight I am at now and with how my body looks and tells me how I feel I do not like it. thanks for the correction though makes me feel a little better. Since being back on track since August 1 I am down from 145lbs - 141lbs lost 4lbs in 1 week. yah and am gaining new energy .
08.08.06 | Mel Green commented: Shelly -- I was amazed to learn that at 5 ft 9 you'd have to be 135 to be in a BMI range that they'd consider "healthy" -- because I'm 5 ft. 2-1/4 & 135 is how low I'd have to be. So I just checked: for 5 ft. 9, 135 is supposedly in the "healthy range," but you could weigh as much as 167 & still be in that range.
Which isn't to say I think BMI is a great measure (as I noted in my own response to this exercise).
Renee, I tried to order that very same body fat analyzer (Omron brand) from Amazon several weeks ago (when I also ordered an Omron pedometer & an Omron heart rate monitor -- I'm quite happy with both) -- but Amazon told me they couldn't ship the body fat analyzer to Alaska! I'm sure somebody will carry what I need in a sporting goods store though....
08.08.06 | Mel Green commented: Shelly -- I was amazed to learn that at 5 ft 9 you'd have to be 135 to be in a BMI range that they'd consider "healthy" -- because I'm 5 ft. 2-1/4 & 135 is how low I'd have to be. So I just checked: for 5 ft. 9, 135 is supposedly in the "healthy range," but you could weigh as much as 167 & still be in that range.
Which isn't to say I think BMI is a great measure (as I noted in my own response to this exercise).
Renee, I tried to order that very same body fat analyzer (Omron brand) from Amazon several weeks ago (when I also ordered an Omron pedometer & an Omron heart rate monitor -- I'm quite happy with both) -- but Amazon told me they couldn't ship the body fat analyzer to Alaska! I'm sure somebody will carry what I need in a sporting goods store though....
08.08.06 | iportion commented: angie
I wasn;
I was just telling your numbers were off you weren't borderline obese not that your goal of 125 isn't a good one. .
125 for your hight seems like a good BMI but always check with your doctor.
I have a bmi of 22.1 I am sorter than you.
I was told I should be at a higher BMI because of fat and body shape. My goal weight is 125 to 130.
Just don't beat yourself up about it and do your best.
08.09.06 | Shelley commented: Hey Mel...
Yeah, I know what you mean...that 167 is also in the normal range, but one pound more...and you are overweight. I was just making the point that I often find the lower ranges of the "healthy" range to actually be "unhealthy" I said 135 as an example, but the BMI in the healthy range actually goes all the way down to 125. I was just saying that in essence...I am not a fan of the BMI as a health indicator.
I am not really concerned about what the BMI means in my life. My main concern with the BMI is because of the negative body image, etc stuff that is rampant in our society.
I think...as Renee mentioned in the next week's post that Body Fat is a much more effective measure. Unfortunately it is often harder to calculate.
Anyways...
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My Bmi now is 22.1 my old BMI when I started ww was 44.4
and I am not even counting what I lost in labour.
The BMI is a good way to regulate weight but I think someone with a 26 or 27 can still be healthy. I am thinking the healthy weights are too low sometimes.