It's no secret that maintaining a healthy BMI is crucial for your overall health. But what exactly is BMI, and how can you ensure you’re staying within the healthy range?
The BMI is essentially a measure of body fat based on your height and weight. It's calculated by dividing your weight by the square of your height. While it's not a perfect metric (sorry, math lovers), it does provide a rough estimate of body fat percentage. We’re not going to do the math here but see below for more info on how to get your BMI.
According to the US Preventive Services Task Force (opens in new tab), by factoring in both your height and weight (and not just your weight alone), your BMI helps determine if you’re at risk for certain diseases.
So, what’s a healthy BMI?
Great question! Here’s the breakdown of the Adult Body Mass Index so you know where you’re at:
- A BMI between 18.5 and 25 is considered healthy
- Anything below 18.5 is underweight
- A BMI between 25 and 30 is considered overweight
- A BMI over 30 is considered obese
Before you start Googling the latest diet trend, keep in mind that BMI isn't a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. Athletes and people with more muscle mass may have a higher BMI — even if they’re actually fit and healthy. So, if you’re a gym buff (or something like that), it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor to make sure your body fat is in balance.