Can you calculate your own BMI?

[falcon123]

I picked up a magazine on a train a few days ago. It had (yet another) article on the obesity crisis. What I found odd was that it mentioned BMI and suggested that if you thought you were overweight you should get your GP to calculate it. I would have thought a few graphs would have done, or a reference to one of the numerous websites where you can put in your height and weight to calculate your own BMI. An uncle lives in Germany and their guideline is that you should be within a few kilos, either way, of the number of cms you are over 1 metre in height. This only applies to those in the average height range.

 

[Sugarbum]

I agree with you Falcon!

It isnt rocket science and really people should also be encouraged to do these things themselves too, accepting some responsibility is a good thing! Obviously, if you were concerned about what range you find yourself in, the person can make an appointment with their GP.

 

[Copepod]

I spend all day at work measuring people. You don't need help with calculating BMI, but it's surprising how many people don't know their correct height - if you don't look down slightly, you can lose 1 or 2cm of height, which is significant as height is squared in the calculation. In the absence of proper measuring kit, it's best to remove shoes & socks, get someone to stand beside you, use a book to join the level from top of head to wall, then measure up the wall. For weight, make sure the weight you put into the table / graph to calculate allows for whether or not you are wearing clothes.

 

[rachelha]

http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/Healt...rs&WT.srch=1&gclid=CPC3jY7J8Z0CFVVu4wodcSM5Lg

this a link to an nhs site with a BMI calculator

Rachel

 

[Vanessa]

Calculation in imperial available on http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/healthy_living/your_weight/bmiimperial_index.shtml

Otherwise it is weight in kilogrammes/height in metres squares

if you have a copy of Diabetes for Dummies then there is a chart on p139 that does height in inches and weight in lbs for those of us of a certain age who - like me - can't quite get to grips with the kilogrammes

 

[shiv]

if you have a copy of Diabetes for Dummies then there is a chart on p139 that does height in inches and weight in lbs for those of us of a certain age who - like me - can't quite get to grips with the kilogrammes

i'm 21 and i use feet/inches and pounds/stones 🙂

 

[Copepod]

But please take note of my message #3 - calculating BMI isn't difficult; you can use either metric or imperial measures, depending on the chart you use, but it is important to start with accurate measure of your height and weight.