Body Mass Index (BMI) for Women
Health and Wellness » Weight Management » Body Mass Index (BMI) for WomenBMI (Body Mass Index), also known as Quetelet index is the calculator to measure the excess body fat present in the individual. It calculates the body fat on the basis of height and weight of the person. Many people think that body mass index (BMI) for women and men are different. However, it is completely false. What BMI does is, it takes into account the weight and health of the individual and calculates the fat accordingly no matter what the gender of the individual is.
The calculator indicates whether the person is obese, overweight, healthy or underweight. By knowing the fat percentage, you can take immediately actions against it. The only problem with this calculator is that it can overestimate the fatness of the people who are athletic.
Calculation of Body Mass Index (BMI) for Women
The calculation of BMI for women and men is the same. Hence, there is no specific calculation and chart of BMI for women. The calculation is based on the mathematical formula in which the person’s height and weight are taken into account. In this calculation, the person’s weight (Kg) is divided by her height (meters), squared (BMI=Kg/m2). Below the formula is given in detail which shows BMI calculation.
| Measurement Units | Formula and Calculation |
| Kilograms and meters (or centimeters) | Formula: weight (kg) / [height (m)]2 According to the metric system, the formula for Body Mass Index is weight in kgs by height in mts, squared. To acquire height in mts, height in cms should be divided by 100. Example: Weight = 68 kg, Height = 165 cm (1.65 m) Calculation: 68 ÷ (1.65)2 = 24.98 |
| Pounds and Inches | Formula: weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703 The formula to calculate BMI is weight in pounds (lbs) divided by height in inches (in) which then has to be squared and multiplied by a conversion factor of 703. Example: Weight = 150 lbs, Height = 5'5" (65") Calculation: [150 ÷ (65)2] x 703 = 24.96 |
To make it easier for you, here is the standard status of the weight which is related with the BMI range for women.
| BMI | Weight Status |
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 30.0 and Above | Obese |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Normal |
| 25.0 – 29.9 | Overweight |
You cannot use BMI for diagnosing any medical cases. It is a screening tool which is used to calculate whether a woman is overweight and is developing high risk of some medical situation. Just to know whether there is any risk of health issues in the future, the weight assessment is done. You can calculate BMI with body composition for knowing the fat mass present in women.
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- Fat free mass is less if BMI is low and body fat is high (if =
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Most women think that they look best at values 20 to 22, whereas for men they get satisfied with 23 to 25. However, if you find that you are overweight or obese, then you are advised to consult a health care expert immediately or start working out more to burn excess fat. Women should keep in mind that if their BMI is 26 or more, then they may face many health issues ahead.
BMI is not a diagnostic tool. It helps to determine whether you carry excess fat or not. There are many ways to eliminate excess body fat. The best is to have a regular workout and follow a proper diet. You will also get online calculation of body mass index (BMI) for women. With such a calculator, you get accurate results within 30 seconds. You can also refer to the BMI chart to know the exact weight you must have.