How to Use a BMI Chart For Women

How to Use a BMI Chart For Women

Women will use the same chart and mathematical formula as men and children to calculate the Body Mass Index. The BMI will help a woman determine if she is underweight, obese or a body type in between those two ranges. BMI is determined by taking a woman’s height and weight in metric units and evaluating those two numbers in a precise mathematical formula.

The formula to calculate a woman’s Body Mass Index is:

Woman’s weight in kilograms divided by the height in meters squared

This formula will work for any woman, regardless of the race or ethnicity. The BMI chart will apply to any woman that weighs at least 91 pounds and is at least 4’10” tall, or 58 inches. Once the formula has been applied to a woman’s height and weight she can use the chart provided below to determine the applicable BMI:

Once a woman has determined her current Body Mass Index the next step would be to apply that BMI to one of four categories. Here are the different divisions of body type:

BMI below 18.5 = underweight

BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 = normal body type

BMI between 25.0-29.9 = overweight

BMI of 30.0 and more = obese

Any woman needs to understand that the BMI is not a definite gauge of health. Any concerns about the calculated BMI should be discussed with a physician to truly determine if there are health risks present. Body Mass Index can be lowered with proper diet and a sound exercise program. Discuss your BMI with your doctor and create a game plan that will help you lose weight if your current BMI indicates the potential for heart disease.

Here are a couple of helpful links to convert pounds to kilograms and inches to meters at Metric-Conversions.org:

Pounds to kilograms

Inches to meters