If you have decided to get back on track with your health goals, then your Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation can give you a head start. It is a great way to gauge whether you have a healthy proportion of fat percentage relative to your weight and height. There are a lot of ways to do the calculation.
Read this article to find out information about using a BMI calculator in India and more ways how you can find your weight category.
What is BMI?
BMI, or Body Mass Index, is a calculation that estimates a person’s body fat percentage. Most healthcare providers use BMI, along with other tools and tests, to assess an individual’s health status. There are several methods to calculate your Body Mass Index, including using a calculator or referring to a table.
BMI Scores for Calculation
The Body Mass Index is calculated by using the mathematical formula of ‘BMI = Weight (kg) ÷ Height (m²)’. There is different weight categories assigned as per the range of scores. A normal BMI score is between the range of 18.5 and 24.9. Here is the BMI category table which showcases the different categories of weight.
| Category of Weight | BMI Scores |
| Underweight | Less than 18.5 |
| Normal weight | 18.5 – 24.9 |
| Overweight | 25 – 29.9 |
| Obesity | 30 and more |
Guide to Calculating BMI by Using a Chart
A chart is a really easy and effective way of calculating your Body Mass Index. Here is a list of steps that you need to follow to calculate your BMI by using a body mass index table or chart:
- Step 1: To get started, you need to note down two measurements – your height (in metres) and weight (in kgs).
- Step 2: Now, you need to locate your height (in metres) in the chart. It will be located at the top or bottom of the BMI table.
- Step 3: Next, locate your weight (in kgs) on the chart. It is going to be located on the right or left side of the table.
- Step 4: Finally, follow along the height and weight on the chart until they both intersect. The square where they intersect is your BMI score. Refer to the BMI score table shown earlier, to know your weight category.
Guide to Calculating BMI by Using a Calculator
There are also a lot of BMI calculators available online as well. You can make use of the BMI calculator in India, to get a score of your body fat percentage. While you’re at it, it’s a good idea to explore the best health insurance plans in India to ensure you have coverage that supports your overall health journey. Here is a list of steps that you need to follow for getting your BMI score by using a calculator:
- Step 1: Search for the term “BMI Calculator” on any search engine of your preference. Select one of them.
- Step 2: You will need to enter your age and gender.
- Step 3: Now, you need to enter your height (in cm/feet) and weight (in kg/pounds).
- Step 4: Hit Enter.
Make sure to enter each detail accurately so that the BMI score you get can be as accurate as possible when using a BMI calculator in India or anywhere else.
Calculation of BMI for Children
You cannot calculate the BMI of your children by using the methods discussed above. There’s a whole other body mass index table for them. For people who are under the age of 20, their Body Mass Index can be calculated by using the following scores as aid:
| Percentile Range | Category of Weight |
| Under 5th | Underweight |
| 5th – 85th | Normal/Healthy Weight |
| 85th – 95th | Overweight |
| 95th and above | Obese |
Guide to Calculating BMI for Children
Here is a list of steps that you need to follow to calculate the Body Mass Index of your children:
- Step 1: First you need to get their height (in metres) and weight (in kgs) measurements.
- Step 2: Then, multiply their weight (in kg) by 703.
- Step 3: Next, multiply their height (in metres) by itself.
- Step 4: Now divide the results that you got in Steps 2 and 3. This will give you their BMI score.
Is BMI Accurate?
BMI provides the correct measure of the body fat percentage for a majority of people. However, what BMI fails to address is an actual percentage of a person’s body composition like bone density, muscle, mass, etc. For instance, people who have a lot of muscles might fall in the overweight category according to their BMI. Similarly, people who have a low body fat percentage might be termed as underweight by BMI.
Hence, it is recommended that you do not take your Body Mass Index as a final indicator of your health and see a medical professional for that. If you’re curious about other calculations, like how many minutes in a year, you can explore more on this topic here.
Conclusion
Now you can make use of a BMI calculator in India or anywhere else to effectively get your weight score. But remember that this is not the final indicator of your overall health. You need to consult a healthcare professional for that.
