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Weight Loss and Body Mass Index (BMI)

The BMI is one way to determine whether or not an adult is overweight. BMI assesses height and weight; muscle mass is not a part of the equation.

BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight (in kilograms) by his or her height (in meters, squared). BMI can also be calculated by multiplying weight (in pounds) by 705, then dividing by height (in inches) twice.

The chart below shows examples of body mass indexes. The figure at which your height corresponds with your weight is your body mass index. To find yours, consult the chart, or try our BMI Calculator.

What Is a Healthy BMI?

A person with a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered to be at a healthy weight. A person with a BMI of 25-29.9 is considered to be overweight. A BMI over 30 is considered obese. A BMI of 40 or above indicates that a person is morbidly obese. This can increases a person's risk of death from any cause by 50%-150%.

Body Mass Index (BMI), Kg/M 2

Weight
(pounds)

Height (feet, inches)

5'0"

5'3"

5'6"

5'9"

6'0"

6'3"

140

27

25

23

21

19

18

150

29

27

24

22

20

19

160

31

28

26

24

22

20

170

33

30

28

25

23

21

180

35

32

29

27

25

23

190

37

34

31

28

26

24

200

39

36

32

30

27

25

210

41

37

34

31

29

26

220

43

39

36

33

30

28

230

45

41

37

34

31

29

240

47

43

39

36

33

30

250

49

44

40

37

34

31

 

 

Reviewed by The Department of Nutrition Therapy at The Cleveland Clinic (2005).

WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic

Reviewed by Jonathan L Gelfand, MD on November 18, 2007

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