How to Use the BMI to Measure Obesity

More than half of the men and women in the United States of America are considered overweight according to their body mass indexes. This is a serious problem that can lead to heart attacks, diabetes, heart disease and strokes. Calculating body mass index, though, can measure whether or not a person is obese and provide them with an overview of how hard they will need to work to bring their weight down.

Instructions

1

Measure the person's height and weight, using a tape measure and a properly calibrated scale to get an accurate reading. This will be important when calculating BMI in order to determine whether or not a person is obese, as well as determining how severe the person's obesity problem is.

2

Use the weight and height measurements to get a BMI number, either by using the formula or by consulting a BMI calculator, such as the one found at Obesity in America (see Resources below).

3

Locate the BMI number on a BMI chart, such as the one found at the Partnership for Healthy Weight Management (see Resources below). While some BMI charts will present the information to you in a color-coded graph, others will provide ranges of weights which are referenced by height, which will provide the BMI number. A BMI number greater than 24.9 indicates that a person is overweight.

4

Determine the severity of obesity as indicated by the BMI number. Grade 1 obesity is only moderately overweight, and it is indicated by a BMI number ranging from 25 to 29.9. Grade 2 obesity is categorized as being severely overweight, and it is indicated by a BMI ranging from 30 to 39.9. The final grade of obesity, type 3, is called morbidly obese, and it is reserved for people whose BMI number is greater than or equal to 40.

5

Use a BMI chart to determine the ideal weight of the person. This will give him a goal to work towards and encourage him to take some positive steps in that direction.