BMI and Calorie Requirement
DEFINITIONS:
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a key index for relating a person’s body weight to their height. The body mass index (BMI) is a person’s weight in kilograms (kg) divided by their height in meters (m) squared. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. The higher your BMI, the greater your risk for diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and certain cancers. If you are concerned about your BMI or just want more information, talk with your doctor.
BMI | Weight Status |
Below 18.5 | Underweight |
18.5 -24.9 | Normal |
25 – 29.9 | Overweight |
30 & Above | Obese |
Percent body fat* is the percentage of fat your body contains. Some body fat is required for overall health. It plays an important role in protecting internal organs, providing energy, and regulating hormones. Percent body fat is considered a more accurate assessment of weight status than BMI alone.
Percentage of body fat: | Body Status | |
Women | Men | |
10 to 12 | 2 to 4 | Essential fat |
14 to 20 | 6 to 13 | Athletic |
21 to 24 | 14 to 17 | Fit |
25 to 31 | 18 to 25 | Acceptable |
32% or more | 26% or more | Obese |
*The body fat calculator on this page uses Height and Circumference method used by The US Navy to measure percentage of your body fat. It is the simplest and fastest method for estimating your body fat percentage. The U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army also rely on this method. In a U.S. Navy study, this method was shown to be as accurate as skinfold testing with calipers, but with a lower standard error of estimation.
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the number of calories your body burns at rest to maintain normal body functions. It is the amount of calories per day your body burns, regardless of exercise. It changes with age, weight, height, gender, diet and exercise habits.
Daily Calorie Requirement is the number of calories you need to consume at your current activity level in order to maintain your current body weight. To lose weight, you need to consume fewer calories. For example, if your Daily Calorie Requirement is 2500, you’ll need to consume about 2000 calories to lose approximately 1 pound/week. If you don’t want to lower your calorie intake, you can increase the amount of calories you burn by exercising more.