Body mass index (BMI). How to calculate square meters How to determine height in square meters

It so happens that today almost all modern women are concerned about the question of how to correctly calculate the body mass index for women. Of course, the modern fashion industry has recently been trying to attract girls’ special attention to curvy figures, but this is not very successful.

Men, of course, admire women in the paintings of Titian and Rubens, but in reality they much more often give their preference to girls with thin figures. Most often, this is why the weaker sex has to go on various diets, trying to fit their own figure to the standards created by someone unknown. Quite often, such zeal leads to very sad consequences. That is why, in order not to go to extremes and to know exactly whether it is worth losing weight further, there is a concept called body mass index for a woman. The formula for this index is extremely simple and any woman can easily calculate it on her own.

Abbreviated BMI or ideal mass index makes it possible to calculate how correctly a woman’s body weight corresponds to her height. In 1869, this index was calculated by the Belgian researcher Adolphe Quetelet, and today it is often called the “Quetelet Index”.

Body mass index for women is calculated using the following formula: the woman’s weight divided by her height, previously squared (height is taken in meters). In other words, the BMI formula looks like this: weight/height squared.

For example, if your height is 177 centimeters and your weight is 75 kilograms, then to calculate your body mass index you will need:

1 . Convert your own height to meters. In our case, the height will be 1.77 m.

3 . Divide your own weight by the result obtained. In this case, divide 75 kilograms by 3.1329 = 23.94.

4 . The resulting index must be compared with the BMI table and find out how close your weight is to the ideal weight according to the World Health Organization.

Based on WHO recommendations, the standard is a body mass index in the range from 18 to 25. It should immediately be clarified that the body mass index for women is the same as the BMI for men in the Quetelet table. That is, Quetelet did not take into account gender differences in his own table. He also did not take age into account. In this regard, the table is very relative.

Body Mass Index Chart for Women

• A BMI of 16 to 18 indicates underweight.
• BMI from 18 to 25 is normal body weight.
• A BMI of 25 to 30 indicates overweight.
• A BMI from 30 to 35 indicates first-degree obesity.
• A BMI of 35 to 40 is considered second-degree obesity.
• A BMI of 40 and above is third degree obesity.

Body mass index for women who are pregnant

The body mass index of a pregnant woman makes it possible to achieve optimal weight gain within nine months. If at the beginning of pregnancy a woman’s BMI was 20, then, according to doctors, weight gain of 13-16 kilograms would be optimal. If 20-27, then during pregnancy a woman should gain no more than 10-14 kilograms.

Tables are good, but you should also not ignore the individual physiological characteristics of your own body.

Guys, we put our soul into the site. Thank you for that
that you are discovering this beauty. Thanks for the inspiration and goosebumps.
Join us on Facebook And In contact with

website I found 5 ways to calculate the optimal weight that fitness professionals use.

Method 1. Quetelet index

If you know your body mass index, you can judge whether you are obese or underweight. The index is calculated for adult men and women from 20 to 65 years old. Results may be false for pregnant and breastfeeding women, athletes, the elderly and adolescents (under 18 years of age).

The resulting number will be your index. The norm for men is 19-25. For women - 19-24.

Method 2. Volumes

The Quetelet index shows the amount of fat in the body quite well, but does not indicate how the fat is distributed, in other words, it does not give a visual picture. But you can check your body for ideality using another formula.

The distribution of body fat is determined by the ratio: waist circumference (at the level of the navel) divided by the volume of the buttocks. The norm for men is 0.85; for women - 0.65 - 0.85.

Method 3. Taking into account age

It has been proven that the weight of men and women should gradually increase with age - this is a normal physiological process. The kilograms that some people consider “extra” may not actually be so. You can use a formula based on age to determine your optimal weight.

P is height in this case, and B is age in years. Body weight = 50 + 0.75 (P - 150) + (B - 20) : 4

Method 4. Broca's formula

One of the most popular methods for calculating ideal weight is Brock's formula. It takes into account the ratio of height, weight, body type and age of a person.

Broca's formula for people under 40 years of age: height (in cm) minus 110, after 40 years - height (in cm) minus 100.

In this case, people who have an asthenic (thin-boned) body type must subtract 10% from the result, and people who have a hypersthenic (broad-boned) body type must add 10% to the result.

How to determine your body type? It is enough to measure the circumference of the thinnest place on the wrist with a centimeter.

Method 5. Nagler's formula

There is a Nagler formula that allows you to calculate the ideal ratio of weight and height. For 152.4 cm of height there should be 45 kg of weight. For every inch (that is, 2.54 cm) over 152.4 cm there should be another 900 g. Plus another 10% of the resulting weight.

Method 6. John McCallum formula

One of the best formulas was created by expert methodologist John McCallum. Its formula is based on measuring the circumference of the wrist.

1. Wrist circumference multiplied by 6.5 is equal to chest circumference.
2. 85% of the chest circumference is equal to the hip circumference.
3. To get your waist circumference, you need to take 70% of your chest circumference.
4. 53% of the chest circumference is equal to the hip circumference.
5. For the neck circumference you need to take 37% of the chest circumference.
6. The biceps circumference is about 36% of the chest circumference.
7. The girth for the lower leg is slightly less than 34%.
8. The forearm circumference should be equal to 29% of the chest circumference.

But not everyone’s physical data will exactly correspond to these ratios; the numbers have an average, statistical average value.

A few more options for height and weight ratios:

1. The physique is considered ideal if the waist circumference is 25 cm less than the hip circumference, and the hip circumference is approximately equal to the chest circumference.
2. The waist circumference should be equal to: height in centimeters - 100. That is, a woman 172 cm tall will be built proportionally if the waist circumference is 72 cm, the hip and chest circumference is about 97 cm, that is, if she wears clothing size 48.
3. If the hip circumference is less than the chest circumference, and the waist circumference is 20 cm less than the hip circumference, then this figure is called an “apple”. If the chest circumference is less than the hip circumference, and the waist circumference is 30 cm or more less than the hip circumference, this is a pear-shaped figure.
4. For women and girls of average height - from 165 to 175 cm - this observation turned out to be fair. Their waist circumference in centimeters is approximately equal to their weight in kilograms. One kilogram of weight loss results in a decrease in waist size of one centimeter.

To “sculpt” the ideal figure will require a significant amount of time and effort. However, before you begin this difficult task, go to the mirror and look at yourself critically, but with love. You can take a centimeter and measure all your circumferences, but don’t draw any gloomy conclusions if you don’t get 90-60-90.

Most likely, it really won’t work out, but there is no tragedy in it. First of all, a lot can be fixed. Secondly, many things may not need to be corrected.

Constitution type

For example, anthropologists distinguish three main types of constitution (not to mention numerous transitional and intermediate options). These three types are called: normosthenic, hypersthenic and asthenic.

A person with a hypersthenic constitution is most often of average or below average height, broad-boned, with relatively short arms and legs and a wide chest. Asthenic - tall, long-legged, with a narrow chest, everything seems to be directed upward. Normosthenic means “normal”: average height and everything else too.

You can quite accurately determine your constitutional type by the so-called intercostal angle, which is formed by the lowest costal arches. Stand in front of a mirror with your stomach in and your chest out, and see what your intercostal angle is (you can even take a large protractor and measure).

If it is approximately 90 degrees, then you are normosthenic. If this angle is acute, less than 90, you are asthenic, and if it is obtuse, you are hypersthenic. In the latter case, in particular, successful getting rid of excess weight can lead to a not very successful result: thinness will not decorate a hypersthenic person, and some “extra” weight, on the contrary, will round out the somewhat square outlines of the figure.

Ideal weight is not a number on the scale, but an integral and important component of your life.

Ideal weight

Your weight is ideal if:

• It does not cause health problems (or potential risks);
• It does not limit you in your daily life, desires and needs;
• You are satisfied with your body the way it is, and at the same time you do not feel embarrassed;
• You like your body and don't compare yourself to other people (or actors, singers, athletes, etc.).

There are various indicators and formulas that can determine the approximate weight range in which you may begin to experience health problems, as well as the weight to which you should strive to minimize or completely eliminate these problems.

Methods for determining excess weight

1. Determining excess weight using scales

The simplest (and most approximate): height (in centimeters) minus 110. The resulting number (in kilograms) is the ideal weight. However, this does not mean that “everything else” is superfluous.

There is the simplest and most accurate way to determine whether you are overweight: you just need to measure the crease on your stomach. For women, the permissible norm is 2-4 cm, but for men it is slightly less - 1 - 2 cm. Experts say that 5 cm or more is obesity. True, unfortunately, in this case we will not see the exact result of how much we need to lose. This is just a kind of hint that it’s time to start exercising and going on a diet.

3. BMI - Body Mass Index

The so-called body mass index (BMI) has received general recognition. His calculation: divide your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. Example: BMI = 68kg: (1.72m x 1.72m) = 23. This formula is good because it works for both “little ones” and “giants”.

The following BMI values ​​are distinguished:

less than 15- acute weight deficiency;
from 15 to 18.5- weight deficiency;
from 18.5 to 24 - normal weight;
from 25 to 29- overweight;
from 30 – 40– obesity;
more than 40- severe obesity.

4. Online ideal weight calculator

5. Scales that determine the percentage of body fat

But BMI does not indicate the distribution of kilograms on the body. Body type is important. With the same height and weight, one person will be slim and strong, the other - plump and loose. The ratio of muscles and fat is important, what percentage of the total body weight is fat, how much is muscle and bones, how much is water. The normal proportion of body fat for men is 12–18%, for women – 18–25%.

Recently, devices have appeared to determine the percentage of body fat. In the process of bioelectrical analysis, a weak, absolutely safe electric current is passed through the body. The principle of analysis is based on the fact that an electrical impulse travels more easily through muscle and water than through fat. Now there are scales that include this technology; you can use them to regularly and more or less accurately measure at home not only your weight, but also your fat percentage.

6. Formula for determining realistically achievable weight

The formula is applicable for cases when a person begins to lose weight from a fairly large weight.

The calculation is carried out in two stages:

1. First, determine your weight as if you had a normal metabolism:

(45 kg) + (1 kg for each centimeter of height over 150 cm) + (0.5 kg for each year over the age of 25, but not more than 7 kg).

2. Then correction is made for slow metabolism:

Add from 4.5 to 7 kg;

Add another 4 to 7 kg (with an initial weight of about 90 kg);

A few more kilograms are added (with the initial weight greatly exceeding 100 kg).

An example for a fifty-year-old lady with a height of 158 cm and currently weighing 90 kg:

45 kg + 1 kg (158 cm - 150 cm) + 7 kg +7 kg + 7 kg = 74 kg.

If our lady manages to bring herself up to 60 kg, then she is guaranteed all sorts of health troubles and an inevitable quick return to her original weight, plus a certain number of cheerful kilograms.

How does body weight affect health?

What does the number on the scale actually mean? How does it relate to all the reasons why you want to lose weight? Perhaps you want to look more attractive, improve your health, “fit into” your favorite jeans or put on a beautiful dress that has been hanging in your closet for many years, improve your physical shape, return to youth, or are you simply more comfortable living with fewer kilograms? The number on the scale is not what determines your success or failure. There are so many ways to measure progress and success other than constantly watching the scale.

There is only one reason to talk about a “normal” or “ideal” weight and that reason is your health.

Which can subsequently lead to serious illness or even death. Although your specific weight may not be the cause of any diseases, it is absolutely known that people whose weight is more or less than the “norm” are much more susceptible to various health problems.

Are you determined to lose weight? Before you start a merciless fight against extra pounds, determine at what weight your body will be healthy.

Body mass index (BMI) will help you give an objective assessment of your own weight.

Psychologists have long noticed that many people who want to lose weight simply do not adequately assess their appearance. During the experiment, women were asked to sketch out the contours of their bodies.

It turned out that everyone “added” on average about five (!) kilograms.

To determine the presence or absence of excess weight, scientists have invented a lot of ways to calculate normal - optimal for health - body weight.

Today, the most reliable of them is the BMI proportionality coefficient (body mass and height index, or body mass index). It will allow you to give an objective assessment of your own weight.

What is body mass index (BMI)

Before taking active “weight loss” measures, figure out what you really want: lose extra pounds or simply correct your figure.

It is important to take into account not only weight, but also the distribution of fat in different parts of the body.

To do this, divide your waist size by your hip size in centimeters. If the resulting figure exceeds 0.8, this is a reason to think, because excess fat deposits on the abdomen and waist are much more dangerous than on the hips and buttocks.

According to research by scientists, the risk group includes men whose waist is more than 102 centimeters, and women whose waist exceeds 88 centimeters.

However, keep in mind that the female body cannot function normally without fat, so completely getting rid of subcutaneous fat is not only unwise, but also dangerous.

Scientists have proven that estrogen hormones are stored in a woman’s fat layer, on which not only good health depends, but also youth and elasticity of the skin.

Formula for calculating body mass index

1. Body mass index (BMI) = body weight (in kg) : height (in m)2

Body mass index (BMI) calculation - online calculator

Enter body weight in kg:

Enter your height in centimeters:

Result:

BMI calculation results

• BMI below 19

• BMI from 19 to 24

Congratulations: your weight is normal, you are healthy and full of strength.

If you are still worried about folds on your waist or tummy, go in for sports and adjust your diet: avoid fatty and sweet foods, eat more vegetables and fruits.

• BMI from 24 to 30

You are slightly overweight.

Try to get rid of it, especially if you have diabetes, hypertension or gout.

• BMI from 30 to 40

Your weight is significantly higher than normal.

Even if you feel good, believe me: by losing those extra pounds, you will discover the real joy of life!

• BMI above 40

People with such a high body mass index should consult a doctor!

You probably have health problems. And excess weight is the main cause of your troubles.

Take action urgently!

Choose a tape measure or measuring tape. Choose a tape measure or tape marked with centimeters (cm) or meters (m). This device will make it easier to calculate the area in square meters, since they were developed in the same measurement system.

• If you can find a tape measure in feet or inches, measure the area using the available units, and then move on to the step that describes how to convert other units to square meters.

Measure the length of the area you have chosen. A square meter is a unit of measurement for the area or size of a two-dimensional object such as a floor or field. Measure the length of one side from one corner to the other and write down the result.

• If the length is more than one meter, then count both meters and centimeters. For example, 2 meters 35 centimeters.
• If the object you are measuring is not a rectangle or square, then read the third section of this article - “Measuring the area of ​​complex shapes.”

If you can't measure the length at once, do it in stages. Lay out the tape measure and make a mark where it ends (for example, 1 meter or 25 centimeters), then lay it out again and start from the marked area. Repeat until you have measured the entire length. Then add all the measurements together.

Measure the width. Use the same tape measure to measure the width of the object. You need to start measuring by placing the tape measure at an angle of 90º in relation to the length of the object that you have already measured. That is, two lines of a square adjacent to each other. Also write down the resulting numbers on paper.

• If the measured length is slightly less than one meter, then round to the nearest centimeter when you take measurements. For example, if the width is slightly larger than the 1 meter 8 centimeters mark, then simply write down “1 m 8 cm.” and don't count millimeters.

Convert centimeters to meters. Usually measurements cannot be made exactly in meters. You will get indicators in both meters and centimeters, for example “2 meters 35 centimeters”. 1 centimeter = 0.01 meters, and therefore you can convert centimeters to meters by moving the decimal point 2 digits to the left. Here are some examples.

• 35cm = 0.35m, so 2m 35cm = 2m + 0.35m = 2.35m
• 8cm = 0.08m, so 1m 8cm = 1.08m

Multiply the length by the width. Once you convert all measurements to meters, multiply the length by the width to get the area of ​​the object being measured. Use a calculator if necessary. For example:

• 2.35m x 1.08m = 2.538 square meters (m2).

Round up. If you get a lot of numbers after the decimal point, for example, 2.538 square meters, then round, for example, to 2.54 square meters. It's likely that you didn't measure to the nearest millimeter, so the final numbers won't be accurate anyway. In most cases we round to the nearest centimeter (0.01m). If you need more accurate measurements, read this material.

• Whenever you multiply two numbers with the same unit of measurement (for example, meters), the answer must be written in the same unit of measurement (m 2, or square meters).