Question:
What exactly is Body Mass Index?

I know what it spells out, but not sure what exactly is Body Mass Index?I know how to find the BMI but want to know what it is??    — Pat S. (posted on March 5, 2001)

March 4, 2001
BMI is a ratio of your weight and height. As I understand it, the ideal BMI numbers represent a general consensus on how much a person "should" weigh at their height. As the numbers get larger and into the morbid range, they become the foundation for medical treatment and insurance approval. However, in the lower ranges they should be taken with a few grains of salt. The thing about using any on-line BMI calculator is that it doesn't account for bone weight or muscle weight. There are ways to calculate the actual fat content in your overall weight, a good medical center can do these tests. This is probably a better reflection of overall health. However, I would say that based on what I've read here, that people should not worry about hitting a specific BMI. Heavy bones, extra muscle, and other things can lead a thin or well proportioned person to a high BMI. Now, with a BMI of 42, I'm pretty sure I'm not all muscle. :) I'm not sure if this is what you were asking, hope it helps.
   — kcanges

March 5, 2001
The BMI is based on the Metropolitan Life Insurance height/weight charts, I believe. You can find out your bmi on this site - just go to the main page and click on 'find your bmi'. :) It is a calcuation based on somewhat 'outdated' charts of ideal height/weight proportions but does give an indication of what percentage body fat to muscle one has. A more accurate indicator perhaps is a body fat monitor like Tanita. It calcuates weight and sends a harmless (unless you have pacemaker or something) low-current electrical charge through the body to detect percentage of body fat. I am close to 40 bmi at four weeks post-op and having lost 25 lbs... but, on the Tanita, it calculates me as having a 50 percent body fat ratio! scary, man! :) All the best,
   — Teresa N.