Question 1

are online bmi calculators accurate?

Accepted Answer

Yes: If you enter your correct height and weight into the proper equation or a bmi calculator, the results should be correct.  The exact meaning of a particular bmi might be open to interpretation as someone who is very muscular and has only 4% body fat might have a higher bmi than a couch potato who has love handles.  For most of us, the bmi is a good indicator of appropriate weight versus overweight.

Question 2

for what reasons was the bmi calculator even invented?

Accepted Answer

For studies: In order to study obesity, one has to have a definition of what it means to be obese.  You can't simply use weight, as 200 lb might be obese for some people but would be a thin person if their height was 6 ft 8 in.  Bmi takes into account height and weight.  A bmi over 30 is considered obese.

Question 3

are online bmi calculators accurate or is one website more accurate than others?

Accepted Answer

All should be OK: If you enter your correct height and weight into any bmi calculator, the results should be correct.  The exact meaning of a particular bmi might be open to interpretation as someone who is very muscular and has only 4% body fat might have a higher bmi than a couch potato who has love handles.  For most of us, the bmi is a good indicator of appropriate weight versus overweight.

Question 4

how do you figure out your body mass index without a bmi calculator?

Accepted Answer

And the formula is:: English formula 
bmi = ( weight in pounds / ( height in inches x height in inches ) ) x 703
 
metric formula 
bmi = ( weight in kilograms / ( height in meters x height in meters ) ).

Question 5

some bmi calculators show me the different results some show different it's very confusing . because online bmi calculators only ask height and weight is it possible to calculate bmi without adding body fat% age activity level etc?

Accepted Answer

Use only Wt. and Ht.: BMI is a screening number, and uses only Weight and Height. Don't add in other stuff to get the BMI number. CDC says:  the accuracy of BMI as an indicator of body fatness... varies depending on the degree of body fatness. In other words, among relatively heavy children, BMI is a good indicator of excess body fatness;... among relatively thin children... BMI is more an indicator of fat-free mass...

Question 6

i am  a male in my 50's non smoker good blood pressure with a bmi of 22 i used an online body fat calculator i appear to have 32% body fat, what does this mean in terms of health and lifestyle?

Accepted Answer

Not much...: I would question the accuracy of the "calculator" and suggest, if you're concerned, you get a direct physical assessment of body composition.

Question 7

where can i find a bmi calculator that includes bone?

Accepted Answer

Try gov. Org : Bmi calculations and fat density vs muscle mass is helpful in weight management and to help with level of fitness. Try nutrition/ gov. Org.

Question 8

could it happen that a bmi calculator tell the difference between muscle and fat?

Accepted Answer

No: Bmi is simply a calculation based on height and weight.  Since muscle weighs more than fat, muscular people will have higher bmis than normal.  Body builders typically have bmis in the "obese" category (over 30), but they are not obese and many times have very low body fat.

Question 9

im a 26 yr old female standing 5'2" how much should i weigh? all the bmi calculators say something different!

Accepted Answer

Weight recommends: Are general. Around a 100 pounds if really petite. 110 pounds is spot on. Up to 121 is within range. However if you are muscular or have large bone structure you could weight more ; be just fine.

Question 10

i've used bmi calculators online, which say my 10 yr.old has a healthy weight. she is a 10 yr.old girl 4 ft.11in.101lbs. is she at a healthy weight?

Accepted Answer

Yes: she is tall for her age but weighs a good amount for her height. this is true if she is 120 months old (just turned 10). 
at 10 yrs, 59 inches is 95th percentile for height  and 101 pounds is 92nd percentile for weight. according to World Health Organization growth curves. 
she is well proportioned.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Bmi kids calculator

A member asked:

Are online bmi calculators accurate?

A member asked:

For what reasons was the bmi calculator even invented?

A member asked:

Are online bmi calculators accurate or is one website more accurate than others?

A member asked:

How do you figure out your body mass index without a bmi calculator?

A member asked:

Some bmi calculators show me the different results some show different it's very confusing . because online bmi calculators only ask height and weight is it possible to calculate bmi without adding body fat% age activity level etc?

A member asked:

I am a male in my 50's non smoker good blood pressure with a bmi of 22 i used an online body fat calculator i appear to have 32% body fat, what does this mean in terms of health and lifestyle?

A member asked:

Where can i find a bmi calculator that includes bone?

A member asked:

Could it happen that a bmi calculator tell the difference between muscle and fat?

A member asked:

Im a 26 yr old female standing 5'2" how much should i weigh? all the bmi calculators say something different!

A member asked:

I've used bmi calculators online, which say my 10 yr.old has a healthy weight. she is a 10 yr.old girl 4 ft.11in.101lbs. is she at a healthy weight?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?