Body Mass Index Calculator

The Body Mass Index (BMI) at Gem is utilized as a broad baseline starting metric to give some indication where a student might be in their health and potential for future risk. The BMI is not a substitute for a comprehensive individual assessment. All of our student will go through a full biometric screening once they arrive and subsequent screening through the process to have the most accurate picture of their health based on their individual body composition.

What Is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a mathematical calculation involving height and weight, irrespective of family history, gender, age or race. BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s body weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared (weight [kg] height [m]2) or by using the conversion with pounds (lbs) and inches (in) squared as shown below, This number can be  misleading, however, for very muscular people, or for pregnant or lactating women.

[Weight (lbs) ÷ height (in)2  ] x 704.5 =BMI

The BMI cutoffs are:

Below 18.5                    Underweight
18.5-24.9                      Normal weight
24.5-29.9                      Overweight
30 and greater              Obese
40 and greater              Morbid or extreme obesity

BMI is frequently used in population studies because of its ease of determination and well-supported association with mortality and health effects. However, other measures of excess adipose tissue, such as waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and others are also used. Individuals may need to use additional factors to assess their individual risk including family history, level of physical activity, smoking and dietary habits.

Waist Circumference

Waist circumference is another widely used measurement to determine abdominal fat content. An excess of abdominal fat, when out of proportion to total body fat, is considered a predictor of risk factors related to obesity. Women are at risk with a waist measurement of 35 inches or greater.

Source: Obesity Society, What is Obesity?

BMI Calculator

The “healthy weight range” indicated by the BMI is on average 38 pounds. The range is smaller for those shorter in stature and larger for those who are taller. People sometimes see the lower range and are concerned. But in the same way we at Gem are consistently working with a predisposition for obesity we understand the upper range of what is considered “healthy” will be more typical for our student. Conversely the lower end of the healthy weight range would be more applicable for someone with a predisposition for being underweight. Again, The BMI is not a substitute for a comprehensive individual assessment.

BMI Calculator

ft
in
lbs
cm
kg