Calculate your body mass index (bmi)

An easily explained way to caculate your body mass index(bmi).

What is body mass index? Simply put, it is the ratio of fat in your body to the rest of your body's weight. Calculating body mass index, or BMI, is the clearest way to find out how much of your body is fatty tissue and how much is muscle, bone, and other healthy tissue.

Recent goverment studies have shown that a BMI of over 25 contains too much fat. A BMI of 30 or more is considered obese. This can be very unhealthy for the body but how do you know if you have a healthy BMI? Simple, just do the following calculation to find out your body mass index number:

This calculation measures your height/weight ratio. For instance, I weigh 120 pounds and I am 5'5". First, I take my weight and multiply that by .45 to convert it to kilograms. My answer is 54 kg.

Next, I will convert my 5'5" height to inches from which the answer is 65 inches. Then I multiply my height by .0254 to get the total number in meters which comes out to be 1.65 meters. I then multiply my height meters by itself: 1.65 x 1.65 which gives me a final meter total of 2.725.

Finally, I divide the meters into the kilograms. The answer is 19.81. So, my body mass index is 19.81.

19.81 is a healthy BMI number and one I hope to continue to maintain for the remainder of my life. Carrying around extra fat does no one any good. The majority of people's BMI numbers will fall between 20 and 30, lower being more healthy than higher. Because I rate at 19.81, this means that I have very little fat in my body.

If your BMI number is more than 25, consider an eating and exercise plan that will reduce the amount of fat in your system. There are many healthy eating plans and lots of opportunities for exercise in everyday living. Don't be alarmed if your BMI is over 25; just view this as a warning to get in shape to continue to live your life in the healthiest possible fashion.