The “ healthy ” consistence mass index ( BMI ) ranges from 18.5 to 24.9 . However , BMI is not a one - sizing - scene - all construct .

BMI is a prick research worker often use to track obesity at the population level . Doctor of the Church and other health care professionals also employ it to assess masses ’s health .

However , the medical community has raised concerns over using BMI as a measuring of obesity and health due to its meaning restriction , peculiarly in assessing the health of Black and Hispanic people .

Nevertheless , some health organization recommend that the great unwashed stay on within a certain BMI range to reduce their risk of infection of disease .

BMI chart and calculator

BMI does not distinguish between virile , distaff , and intersex bodies . It ’s a formula that uses tiptop and weight to reckon a numeral mean to represent a person ’s trunk fat levels .

These numbersfit withinthe following categories :

This reckoner can help you determine your BMI , although it is n’t specifically forcisgenderwomen and other masses assigned female at nascency :

Doctors may recommend different cutoff tip bet on a person ’s ethnicity , vigour , and other factors .

The relationship between race, ethnicity, and female body composition

Race and ethnicity do not determine weight , body fat dispersion , balance of muscle mass , waist circuit , or other consistence metrics . Every person is different .

BMI does not inherently distinguish between hoi polloi of different racial or cultural backgrounds . However , different BMI crosscut have been developed for Asian and South Asian populations .

You ’ll notice the speech used to divvy up stats and other data points is prettybinary , fluctuating between the use of “ male ” and “ distaff ” or “ men ” and “ cleaning lady . ”

While we typically obviate language like this , specificity is key when reporting on inquiry participant and clinical findings .

White, Black, and Hispanic

Although a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is link up with “ healthy weight , ” it does n’t take into consideration that people differ in body shape and composition .

This mean that even if two people have the same BMI , they can have very unlike regional physical structure fat distribution and muscle volume .

For deterrent example , a2015 reviewshows that Mexican American adults tend to have a different dead body fat distribution than non - Latino ( NH ) blank or dim adult .

On average , Mexican American adults have more body fat and a larger shank circuit than white or Black adults .

NH Black grownup incline to have a high amount of sinew lot than white or Mexican American adults .

Studieshave shownthat healthcare professional are more potential to misclassify fateful women as having fleshiness because of their higher portion of muscle mass .

Furthermore , investigator acknowledge that the radio link between BMI and mortality risk ismuch weakeramong Black women than among white women .

Asian and South Asian

Researchshowsthat Asian and South Asiatic population have more body fat comparative to their body weight than blank population and that health status liketype 2 diabetesoccur at lower BMI level .

This has led to changes in BMI cutoffs for Asian population . Several cutoff have been suggest .

Inone framework , BMI between 23 and 24.9 is associated with stoutness , and a BMI over 25 is link up with obesity .

The relationship between age, hormones, and female body composition

Older grownup tend to have low brawniness sight and more fat situate in their midsection than younger adults .

This is due to age - related changes in hormone level , slowing of physical activity , and modification in torso length caused byosteoporosis .

Hormonal change related tomenopausecan also affect BMI accuracy . A2019 studyof 1,329 postmenopausal participants found people with a “ healthy ” BMI may have fleshy or fleshiness .

The relationship between pregnancy and female body composition

health care professionals urge that mass gain a sure amount ofweight during pregnancybased on their prepregnancy BMI range .

Here are theInstitute of Medicine reccomendationsfor weight amplification during singlepregnancy :

Even though you’re able to utilize these recommendation as helpful rule of thumb , it ’s important to confab with a health care professional .

They can help you mold a healthy weight increase during gestation based on your specific pauperism and overall health .

The bottom line

Scientists and health care professional are well aware that BMI has pregnant flaws . However , it rest an important cock for assess public health at the population level .

Even though healthcare pro can use BMI as a screening cock , they should n’t expend it as a method acting to evaluate a person ’s body juicy layer or health status .

To decent appraise your overall health and well - being , a health care master should look at many factors , include your rip test results , diet , activity levels , and sleep wont .

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