Five ways to measure health and weight (with or without BMI)ĭempers and Mcdonough say there are other effective ways to do a temperature check on your health. See how BMI could cause more health inequities in people of color. Researchers have also learned that different ethnicities, including white, Black, South Asian and Middle Eastern, tend to become at higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes at different BMI scores. “You may have the same BMI as another person, but your health and risk of obesity-related illnesses may be much different.” “Your ethnicity could throw off your BMI number,” says Mcdonough. But BMI does not account for these differences. It also found that Black women tended to have more muscle mass than white women or those of Mexican descent. For example, one study found that women of Mexican descent had more body fat than white and Black women. An ethnicity other than whiteĮthnicity can affect your body fat distribution and muscle mass. Research has even shown that some postmenopausal women with a healthy BMI may actually be overweight or obese. As hormones decrease, it causes decreases in muscle mass and increases in belly fat.”Įven if you weigh the same at 70 as you did at 30, you may have significantly more body fat. “As women go through menopause, their hormone levels decrease. “The older you are, the more body fat you tend to have,” says Mcdonough. Most athletes are going to be in the overweight to obese range.” Postmenopausal
“BMI does not factor in body fat or muscle mass, so for athletes, it’s useless,” notes Dempers.Īlso, higher density muscles weigh more, says Mcdonough. The more active you are, the more muscle mass you tend to have. Women’s BMI ranges could also be unreliable if you are: An athlete Since then, the average height and weight for females and males have also increased,” says Dempers. “BMI was developed 180 years ago, and they were getting most of their data from corpses. Limitations of using BMI to measure women’s healthīMI is a controversial tool, with many health experts saying it’s a dinosaur that should be extinct. If you’re pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, you can calculate your recommended weight gain using your pre-pregnancy BMI. Find your BMI in the chart below to see your weight classification. Weight in kilograms ÷ height 2 in meters = BMI (For example: 70 kilograms ÷ 1.7 meters 2 = 24.2)Ī healthy BMI for women falls between 18.5 and 24.9. (Weight in pounds ÷ height 2 in inches) x 703 = BMI (For example: 150 pounds ÷ 65 inches 2 x 703 = 26.6) You can also use these formulas to calculate your BMI: To calculate your BMI, use this adult BMI calculator. But there isn’t a separate BMI chart for women.” BMI calculator for women For example, women typically have more body fat than men. “And there are key differences in men and women that could affect its reliability as an indicator of health. But it’s one-size-fits-all,” says Dempers. “BMI is useful because it’s a quick, convenient health assessment for the general population. But when it comes to BMI for women, the view gets a little foggy. The resulting number is supposed to show if you’re underweight, at a healthy weight, overweight or obese.ĭoctors typically use BMI as a window into your overall health. Why BMI for women isn’t always accurateīMI is typically measured as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Physiologist Chris Dempers and fitness specialist Colt Mcdonough explain the pros and cons of using BMI charts to measure a woman’s health. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission.
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