Free BMI Calculator

BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It's a measure used to detect possible weight problems in adults. BMI is generally accepted by healthcare professionals as a good overall predictor of being overweight or obese for the general population. However, using BMI as a standard measurement definitely has flaws and does not the most accurate measurement of overall health in some instances.

For example, at the same BMI, women tend to have more body fat than men and older people tend to have more body fat than younger people. According to a study in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, BMI may not be accurate in women between 20 and 33 years of age. In this study, BMI failed to identify nearly half of the women who were obese.

Also, people who are very athletic and get a lot of exercise generally have more muscle mass, which leads to higher BMI levels which may indicate they are overweight, when in fact the extra weight they carry is due to muscle, which weighs more than fat. Those are a couple reasons why using a free BMI calculator may not be right for everybody.

Overall though, a high BMI is in most cases a good indicator that lifestyle changes are needed. You can lower your BMI significantly by following a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

High BMI is often correlated with obesity, which multiplies your risk for heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and many other conditions.

Use the free BMI calculator above to find your BMI, then take a look at the classications below developed by the National Institutes of Health. If you're not in the "Healthy" category, it may be time to make some changes to your diet and exercise plan.

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