Are you overweight? Are you concerned about the health risks that might arise from putting on a few extra pounds? There is a method for calculating your “fatness quotient” that does not require a visit to your doctor to discover. This test is known as the body mass index, or BMI, and can be done at home with a bit of simple arithmetic. While the BMI is not meant to be used as a diagnostic tool, it can be a good starting point for you and your doctor to understand your overall health and risk factors.

In most cases, your BMI will be closely tied to the measure of your body fat that can also be done with other diagnostic tools like underwater weighing and skin fold measuring with the use of calipers. However, the BMI can be calculated anytime and anywhere, and does not require the use of expensive equipment or trained professionals to get a result. There will be some instances when the BMI will not be as accurate. This occurs in the case of bodybuilders who tend to have a high BMI even though they do not have much excess fat. It can also be true with some other types of athletes and women who are pregnant. All of these groups may have a higher BMI than actual fat. Those who may have an inaccurately low BMI might include elderly folks and some people with physical disabilities.

Calculate your own BMI

In order to calculate your own BMI, you simply need to know your height and weight. Divide your weight by your height in inches squared, and then multiply this number by 703. The formula will look something like this: weight (lb.) / [height (in.)squared] x 703. If you were not a math lover in school and would prefer a simplified approach to understanding your BMI, there are plenty of online calculators that you can use. Simply plug in the information on your height and weight and let the computer do the hard work for you.

Understand your Number

Once you know what your BMI is, how do you know what that number means? There are guidelines in place to determine where you are at with your BMI in terms of fatness. A BMI of less than 18 probably means that you are underweight and may be malnourished. A BMI under 20 is still considered underweight, and a BMI of 20 – 25 is in the normal range. A BMI number of 26 – 30 signifies that you are in the overweight range, and over 30 usually indicates obesity. Having a high BMI can mean that you are at increased risk for diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. If your BMI falls in this range, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor about your risk factors, and find out what you can do to drop the excess weight.

So, what’s your number? Knowing your BMI can put you on the right track for optimal health and a higher quality of life.

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