Calculate Your Body Mass Index

Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of the ratio of weight to height and indicates your total body fat. BMI is a good indicator but it does have its limitations. For instance, if you are an athlete or have a muscular build it may overestimate your body fat, or if you are older or have lost muscle mass it may underestimate your body fat. Taking into account these limitations the BMI remains a useful predictor of health risk. As BMI increases the risk of some diseases increases. These include cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoarthritis, some cancers and premature death.

To calculate your BMI you need to know your weight (in pounds) and your height. Once you've typed these in the box press 'calculate BMI'. Your BMI will appear as will a general statement of your health risk category.