Body mass index (BMI) and waist measurement
Body mass index (BMI) and waist measurement, are two measures that are looked at to assess the risk of disease. BMI calculates the ratio between height and body weight, that is, how much body mass you have in relation to your height.
On this page you will find both a BMI calculator and an ideal weight calculator. The BMI calculator shows your BMI score based on your weight and height, while the ideal weight calculator shows you what you should weigh, based on height, age, gender and activity level.
Why BMI can be inaccurate and misleading
Body mass consists of fat tissue, muscle tissue and bone tissue. BMI can therefore be inaccurate and misleading, because it does not differentiate between how much of the body mass comes from the various tissue types. For example, a person with a large muscle mass may have a high BMI, but at the same time a low fat percentage, and then not have an increased health risk.
How the fat is distributed on the body also affects the health risk. If the fat is mainly distributed around the stomach, it is more harmful to health than if the fat is mainly distributed around the buttocks, hips and thighs. Therefore, in addition to BMI, one should measure the waist (waist measurement).
See also our Calorie calculator.
