For this weeks blog post I researched how to calculate Body Mass Index and researched what BMI is and the information it supplies. In order to be thorough I also asked my Father about BMI and what it means, because he received a Masters in Health Promotions and Exercise Physiology from Vanderbilt University.

What I discovered is that a BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared. The number you are left with provides an index for obesity.

Here is a step by step way to convert and discover your BMI:

Multiply your weight in pounds by .45

Next multiply your height by .025

Next we will square the number you received from your height calculation in the previous step.    

The squared number will then be used to divide the answer from step one (your weight multiplied by .45)

If this feels like a lot of math here is an online calculator:

Click Here to Find Out Your BMI

Once you find your BMI you're probably thinking that you have this number but no context for it. You're absolutely right! A BMI is only significant because it is measured against a scale.

Click Here to View a BMI Chart

Here is a visual to help you see the different percentages of body fat on both men and women. When you calculate your BMI you are not calculating the percentage of fat on your body. This is just an image I found interesting.