5-step plan to calculate BMI

Not sure what your weighing scale is telling you? The Body MassIndex (BMI) helps you compare your height to your weight and gives you an indication of whether you are overweight, underweight or at optimum weight. 



Here's how it's done:
What you need: a weighing scale, measuring tape, calculator, pen and paper 
1. Measure your weight in kilograms
2.Work out your height in centimetres
3.Divide your height in centimeters by 100 to get your height in metres
4.Multiply your height in metres by the figure itself
5.Divide your weight in kilograms by the total obtained in step 4. This is your BMI.
For example if you are 5ft 4in and weigh 60 kgs, then your height in cms is 163, and your height in metres is 1.63. If you multiply 1.63 by 1.63, you get 2.65. Divide your weight (in kgs) by 2.65, and you will get: 22.6. 

What it means:
BMI of less than 18 means you are under weight.
A BMI of less than 18.5 indicates you are thin.
BMI between 18.6 and 24.9 indicates you are at a healthy weight.
BMI between 25 and 29.9 suggests you are overweight.
BMI of 30 or over indicates obesity.

Note: BMI will vary slightly according to gender. BMI alone is not the best indicator for who is most at risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease. Waist circumference is a more accurate indicator of future health problems.