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Calculating Body Mass Index (BMI)

BMI measures an individual’s overall body fat composition.

  • Obtain height in meters, weight in kilograms
  • Calculate using the formula: BMI = weight (kg)/height (m)2
  • Plot results on a standard curve to determine percentile rank and BMI classification:
    • Underweight: BMI <5th percentile
    • Normal weight: BMI between ≥5 and <85th percentile
    • Overweight: BMI between ≥85 and <95th percentile
    • Obese: BMI ≥95th percentile

Note: If weight and height are not obtained in metric units, use formula: BMI = (weight in pounds/height in inches2) x 703.