BMI estimates body fat based on weight-to-height ratio. A healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, but it varies for children and adolescents. Athletes with more muscle may have a higher BMI despite a healthy amount of body fat.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is an estimate of the level of fat in a person’s body. BMI is usually used as an estimate of body fat, however, rather than an exact measurement. This number is based on an individual’s weight-to-height ratio. The formula for calculating BMI is basically the same for everyone, but the number that makes up a healthy BMI can vary a bit when it comes to children and teens. Essentially, however, a healthy BMI number is low enough that a person is not at risk of developing an obesity-related health condition, but not so low that they have health problems related to being underweight.
Calculating one’s BMI is usually quite simple. To do this, a person begins by finding out what his weight is in kilograms. Then find out what its height is in square meters. You can then divide your weight by your height to arrive at your BMI.
A person can use an online BMI chart to see where they stand when it comes to body fat. This type of chart will usually reveal a healthy BMI to be between 18.5 and 24.9. If a person has a BMI of 25 or higher, they are generally considered overweight, and a BMI of 30 or higher means the person is considered obese. However, if an individual has a BMI of 18.5 or less, that person is generally considered underweight.
Determining what constitutes a healthy BMI for a child or adolescent differs from assessing the BMI of someone who is at least 20 years old. There is a separate BMI table that is used for people under the age of 20. This chart considers the age and gender of the individual, as the adolescent or child generally has more growth ahead of them, and puberty can change what counts as a healthy BMI. In addition to using a chart designed specifically for children and adolescents, a person can ask a doctor for healthy BMI ranges for people in this age category.
It is important to note that a person who has a high BMI may not always have a lot of body fat or be considered overweight or obese. Some athletes have a greater amount of muscle which contributes to a higher number in BMI calculations. Muscle gain often skews calculations despite the fact that the athlete has a healthy amount of body fat.
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