BMI stands for body mass index, but you’ll almost always find it referred to simply as BMI. It’s an estimate of how much body fat a person has, and it’s calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by his or her height in square meters. (1)
Don’t be intimidated by the number crunching — there are loads of online calculators that will generate your BMI when you put in your stats. (2) The resulting number can help you determine whether you’re at a healthy weight. Here’s what your number means:
- Less than 18.5 = underweight
- 18.5 to 24.9 = normal weight
- 25 to 29.9 = overweight
- 30 or higher = obese
BMI has long been a popular tool for measuring body fat because it’s easy to use and doesn’t require any fancy equipment to calculate. There’s a downside to that simplicity, though: It sometimes delivers an oversimplified picture of your health (more on that later).
According to this measure, more than one-third of American adults is considered obese, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Adding Weight in a Healthy Way
If you’re underweight and looking to raise your BMI, consider some creative and healthy ways to increase your daily calorie intake. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has a number of tips to sneak in extra calories without overhauling your diet: For example, spread peanut butter on toast, sprinkle cheese on top of chili, or use milk in your oatmeal instead of water. (11)
The right kind of fitness can also help increase your BMI. Speak with a personal trainer to figure out the best exercise regimen for you.
Whether you’re looking to lose or gain, reaching a healthy weight (and healthy BMI) not only slashes your risk for many diseases, but it has been shown to boost your confidence, energy level, and your overall mood. That’s an all-around win. (10)
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