#Childrens bmi calculator how to
#Childrens bmi calculator professional

Breathe out and then take the measurement.Wrap a tape measure around this halfway point.Find the halfway point between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips - just above your belly button.Use measurements in the same units - so centimetres (cms) or inches. To calculate your waist to height ratio, measure your waist and divide it by your height. Your waist to height ratio can tell you if you have too much fat around your stomach, even if your BMI is healthy. Alternatives to BMI Waist-to-height ratio So, BMI may not be reliable if you're over 60. People over 60Īs you get older, you tend to have more fat and less muscle. If you're worried about your child's weight you should speak to your doctor - especially if they fall outside the healthy centile range. Very overweight - 98th centile or above.A healthy weight - between the 2nd and 91st centiles.Underweight - on the 2nd centile or below.The BMI calculator works out if a child is: So, a boy on the 60th centile is heavier than 60 out of 100 other boys of their age. A child's BMI is given as a 'centile' number which shows how their BMI compares with other children of the same age and gender. Childrenīecause children are still growing, and boys and girls develop at different times, their BMI is measured differently.įor children and young people - between 2 to 18 years old - the children's BMI calculator considers age and gender as well as height and weight. It is hard to know what your true weight is, so, if you are worried you should speak to your midwife or GP. If you are pregnant, you will gain weight as your baby grows and from the fluid that cushions your baby in your womb. The BMI ranges for Black and Asian people are: Black or Asian ethnic groupsīlack, Asian and some other minority ethnic groups have a higher risk of developing some long-term conditions such as type 2 diabetes despite having a lower BMI. Groups of people where a BMI result is less helpful include:īecause muscle weighs more than fat, muscular people - such as weight trainers and athletes - may be a healthy weight even though their BMI is classed as obese.

#Childrens bmi calculator professional

But a healthcare professional will consider many other factors when assessing if you are a healthy weight. Your BMI result is a useful starting point for talking with a GP about your weight and general health.

#Childrens bmi calculator how to

You should speak to your doctor about how to lose weight and bring down your BMI to a healthy level. The National Cancer Institute found that severe obesity can reduce life expectancy by 6 to 13 years. Severe obesity - Class 3Ī BMI of 40 or above means you're in the range of severe class 3 obesity - which can have a high chance of affecting your health. If you're BMI is in the obese range, you should see your GP and talk about a plan to lower your BMI in a healthy way. Your chances of developing health issues associated with being overweight can increase if you are obese. If your BMI score is between 30 to 35 then there is a high chance you have class 1 obesity, with a range between 35 and 40 being class 2. If your BMI is in the overweight range you may be more at risk of developing health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, gallstones and cancer.įor help losing weight, read our weight loss information leaflet. So, keep an eye on your general health, diet, and exercise and track any changes in your weight. But always remember that the BMI does not tell you anything about the make-up of your body - such as how much muscle or fat you have, how much physical activity you do, or your body type. Having a BMI score within the healthy weight range is a good sign that you are the right weight for your height. You should speak to your doctor to find out why you have a low BMI and about how to gain weight healthily. Women may have irregular periods and have a greater chance of osteoporosis. It may affect your skin, hair, and teeth or you may feel more tired than you should. What your BMI score means Underweightīeing underweight might mean you're not getting all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that your body needs to be healthy. But rather than working it out yourself you can use the BMI calculator above to find out which range you're in. You can also do this in imperial measurements.

So, your BMI is 23, which falls within the healthy weight range.

Your BMI is calculated by dividing your weight by your height squared.įor example, if you're 1.75m metres tall and weigh 70 kilograms, the calculation to get your BMI is: If you think you have an eating disorder, the BMI calculator may not be suitable for you. This calculator should only be used by adults. Pregnant or lactating women should not rely on these BMI results, and no action should be taken based on its values other than to consult a qualified person such as a doctor.