F.R.E.D March 2014 | Page 5

The body mass index is an indicator for the body fatness of

BY ANDREW KIM

BODY

MASS

INDEX

How to Calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI)

people and helps us understand the different weight categories

that can lead to health problems.

The equation to calculate your BMI is:

WEIGHT (KG) / HEIGHT (M)

2.5/2.6

Underweight, Normal Weight, Overweight, Obese

Underweight

16 - 18.5 kg/m2

Obese

30 < kg/m

Normal Weight

18.5 - 25 kg/m2

Overweight

25 - 30 kg/m2

Is BMI the best indicator of health? Although it can be argued that it shows one's health, some scientists argue that it is not a good measure of health. Some flaws are that it fails to show where the fat is located. Far around the stomach can increase the risk of diabetes, while fat elsewhere may be less harmful. BMI is simple, but it fails to show the specific details, which can be very important on judging a person's health.