Doctor Joe's Chiropractic Center - Dr. Joe Nalbone, DC

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Body Mass Index Calculator

Body mass index (BMI) is a statistical measure of the weight of a person scaled according to height. BMI provided a simple numeric measure of a person's 'fatness' or 'thinness', allowing health professionals to discuss over and underweight problems more objectively with their patients. Unfortunately many physicians rely on the BMI for medical diagnosis which has never been the BMI's purpose. It is meant to be used as a simple means of classifying sedentary (physically inactive) individuals with an average body composition.

The BMI is meant to broadly categorize populations for purely statistical purposes. As noted, its accuracy in relation to actual levels of body fat is easily distorted by such factors as fitness level, muscle mass, bone structure, gender, and ethnicity. A frequent use of the BMI is to assess how much an individual's body weight departs from what is normal or desirable for a person of his or her height. However, there have been correlations between having a higher BMI and developing heart disease and other health problems such as diabetes. Health problems may also arise with a very low BMI. The following is a generalized BMI chart - values may alter from source to source:

Men's BMI values	Women's BMI values	Comments

20.7 and under	19.1 and under	Underweight
20.7 - 26.4	19.1 - 25.8	Ideal weight
26.5 - 27.8	25.8 - 27.3	Marginally overweight
27.9 - 31.1	27.4 - 32.2	Obese
31.2 - 45.4	32.3 - 44.8	Very obese
45.5 and above	44.9 and above	Morbidly obese

     BMI categories do not take into account many factors such as frame size and muscularity. The categories also fail to account for varying proportions of fat, bone, cartilage, water weight, and more. One basic problem, especially in athletes, is that muscle is denser than fat. Some professional athletes are overweight or obese according to their BMI - unless the number at which they are considered overweight or obese is adjusted upward in some modified version of the calculation. In children and the elderly, differences in bone density and, thus, in the proportion of bone to total weight can mean the number at which these people are considered underweight should be adjusted downward.

     For example, Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime had a BMI of about 30.2, and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has a BMI of 32.5. Their high BMI is a result of a high muscle mass and not due to being fat. This puts them much healthier compared to someone who has a BMI of say 26, but with a lot less lean muscle than them.

     Another issue is that competitive athletes often know very accurately what their actual height and weight are, while the general public has tendencies toward over-estimating their height, and under-estimating their weight. The BMI standards, as a public health tool, take this tendency into account. This can lead to athletes having a higher reported BMI than a lay person of the same height and weight. Ask Dr. Joe If you have any other questions.

     To get an estimate of your BMI fill in the form then click on the Submit button. JavaScript must be enabled in order for this calculator to work.


Physical characteristics

Weight in pounds

Height in feet

Height in inches



Your estimated resting Body Mass Index

Your Body Mass Index

Comments for men

Comments for women

Disclaimer: The information given on the this Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator is designed to help you make informed decisions about your health. It is not intended to act as a substitute for the advice or treatment that may have been prescribed by your physician. Before adhering to any of the information on this web site, you should consult with your physician. Understand that you are solely responsible for the way that the information on this web site is perceived and utilized and that any action you may take is done so at your own risk. In no way will Dr. Nalbone, Doctor Joe's Chiropracic Center, www.doctorjoecanhelp.com, or any associated affiliates be responsible for any problems that might occur due to the use of this BMI calculator or the information contained within.