Body Mass Index
About Body Mass Index
Body mass index, or BMI, is a measurement that calculates weight in relationship to height and is considered a reliable indicator of body fat. For adults (age 20 and older), BMI breakdowns are as follows:
| BMI | Weight Status |
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Normal |
| 25.0 – 29.9 | Overweight |
| 30.0 and Above | Obese |
BMI for children and young adults aged 2 to 20 is measured by a gender and age specific charting system known as BMI-for-age. BMI-for-age is expressed in terms of percentiles.
- Underweight – less than 5th percentile
- Normal – 5th percentile to 84th percentile
- At risk of overweight – 85th percentile to 94th percentile
- Overweight – 95th percentile or higher
The following calculator is for adults age 20 and older only. Your child's pediatrician can help you interpret their weight, height, and BMI patterns based on their age and gender.
BMI Calculator
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Last Modified Date: June 14, 2013
All content on dLife.com is created and reviewed in compliance with our editorial policy.
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