Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculations

Description: How to calculate body mass.

Categories: Dating, Pen Pals, Friends: Cyber Dating, Health & Diet: How to Lose Weight
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Submitted by: Nannette | View Member Profile | View Other Posts
Created: 10/31/2002

According to the Reader's Digest article "Extreme Measures", October 2002, following is how to calculate body mass index:

Multiply your weight in pounds by 704.5. Divide that by height in inches. Then divide that result by height in inches again. The final result is your BMI.

The article points out that a 5'5" woman weighing 180 pounds will have a BMI of 30, but so will a 6'2" man weighing 233 pounds.

According to the article, a BMI over 25 is considered overweight; over 30 is obese.

This doesn't mean someone can't "look good" carrying a few extra pounds. But it might mean they are at risk for some health problems. A few months ago, I went to see my doctor, who told me, "Nannette, you need to exercise, everyday." Now, I haven't yet reached the BMI of 25 so I asked him why, since I hate exercise. He explained that as women get older, they are at higher risk of osteoporosis, and exercise helps combat that. Also, diabetes. And he assured me that if I hate needles now, I'll certainly not like diabetes. So he was encouraging me on the grounds of preventive maintenance.

I was a good little soldier for about a month, but I have to admit that I have fallen back into my non-exercising ways.

I also updated my weight on my profile today.

One of the members mentioned that displaying the weight is good, but that most people lie. I informed him that I hadn't updated my weight on my profile in years, and that it was about 10 pounds off, but that I didn't have to worry about disappointing anyone when they met me either.

He sent back a laugh, but I felt guilty for having a "dishonest" profile. So, I have a BMI of 23. Not quite yet 25, but close. I guess I'd best get back on the exercise track.

On the bright side, Larry's BMI is 27 (and I don't think he's updated his weight in a while either), so he can't give me too much grief.

To make it easier for you, we have calculated the BMI for you and posted it with each member's weight (if they responded on weight).

I have a feeling I'm going to get some flack on this. But it's all in the spirit of helping make this a better web site for you.

Nannette