Simply put, the body mass index (BMI) is a measure that uses your height and weight to work out if you are a healthy size and calculate your BMI measurement.
Your BMI is found by dividing an adult’s weight in kilograms by their height in metres squared. The resulting number- usually between about 15-40 shows whether that person is underweight, a healthy weight, overweight or obese.
For those aged 2 to 18, the BMI calculation doesn’t just take into account their height and weight. Their age and gender are incorporated into the equation as well.
A healthy BMI is in the 18.5 to 24.9 range for the majority of adults. This is definitely the case in individuals with a normal musculature.
Below 18.5
18.5 – 24.9
Healthy
30.0 or Above
Obese
25.0 – 29.9
Overweight