The Body Mass Index (BMI) formula was developed by Belgium statistician Adolphe Quelet (1796-1874), and was known as the Quetelet Index. BMI is also referred to as 'Body Mass Indicator'.
BMI is a worldwide used important parameter in determining any kind of weight related problem. In other words, BMI is a measurement tool that links your height and your weight and provides an indication of whether you are overweight, underweight or at a healthy weight for your height.
For those who wish to manually calculate BMI here is a BMI formula for both standard and metric measures. Body Mass Index calculation is very easy. Calculating body mass index involves only two measurements, height and weight. There are two formulas for calculating BMI. The first one measures weight in pounds and height in inches.
BMI = [Weight (in Pounds) / (Height in inches) x (Height in inches)] x 703
The second formula measures the BMI in Kg/m2; measuring height in meters and weight in kilograms.
BMI = (Weight in Kilograms) / (Height in Meters) x (Height in Meters)
Below is the procedure of calculating BMI in simple steps. Weigh yourself on your bathroom scales. Then measure your height in inches using the yardstick. Use the pencil, paper and calculator to perform the next BMI calculation. Take your height in inches and square the number, (multiply the number of inches by the same number of inches). Split your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared. Multiply that answer by 703. The answer is your Body Mass Index (BMI).
Choose BMI category your personal BMI result belongs to: Underweight < 18.5; Normal (healthy) weight = 18.5 - 24.9; Overweight = 25 - 29.9; Obesity > 30;