BMI Calculator for Women

Weight (kg)

Height (cm)

BMI Female Categories

Underweight

< 18.5

Diet Advice: Increase calorie intake with nutrient - dense foods like nuts, avocados, and whole - grain bread.
Exercise Advice: Focus on strength training to build muscle mass.
Disease Risk: Higher risk of osteoporosis, anemia, and a weakened immune system.

Normal Weight

18.5 - 24.9

Diet Advice: Maintain a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Exercise Advice: Engage in regular physical activity, such as 150 minutes of moderate - intensity aerobic exercise per week.
Disease Risk: Lower risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Overweight

25 - 29.9

Diet Advice: Reduce intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, and saturated fats. Increase fiber intake.
Exercise Advice: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate - intensity exercise most days of the week.
Disease Risk: Increased risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Obese

> 30

Diet Advice: Consult a dietitian for a personalized low - calorie, balanced diet plan.
Exercise Advice: Start with low - impact exercises like walking and gradually increase intensity.
Disease Risk: Significantly higher risk of heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, and sleep apnea.

How BMI Female is Calculated

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight. The formula for calculating BMI is:

BMI = Weight (kg) / (Height (m) × Height (m))

In imperial units, the formula is adjusted as follows:

BMI = (Weight (lbs) × 703) / (Height (in) × Height (in))

A healthy BMI female range for most adults is typically considered to be between 18.5 and 24.9. However, it's important to note that BMI is a screening tool and does not directly measure body fat percentage. Other factors such as muscle mass, bone density, and body composition can also affect health.

BMI: Applicability and Limitations

Applicable Population: BMI is generally suitable for most adults to roughly assess their weight status.

Limitations: It doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or body composition. Athletes may have a high BMI but low body fat.

BMI and Age - Related Considerations

BMI guidelines can vary depending on age. In children and adolescents, BMI is age - and sex - specific. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides growth charts that show the distribution of BMI for different ages and genders. For example, in children aged 5 - 19 years, a BMI - for - age above the 85th percentile is considered overweight, and above the 95th percentile is considered obese.

As people age, body composition changes. A study published in the "Journal of Gerontology" found that between the ages of 30 and 70, adults tend to lose about 3 - 8% of their muscle mass per decade. This loss of muscle mass can lead to a decrease in metabolic rate. In older adults (65+), a BMI in the range of 23 - 27 may be associated with better health outcomes compared to the standard 18.5 - 24.9 range for younger adults. Research has shown that older adults with a BMI below 23 have a 2 - 3 times higher risk of frailty and a higher mortality rate.

BMI and Ethnic Differences

Ethnicity can significantly influence the relationship between BMI and health risks. Different ethnic groups may have different body compositions at the same BMI. For instance, Asian populations, including South Asians, East Asians, and Southeast Asians, tend to have a higher percentage of body fat at a given BMI compared to Caucasian populations.

A meta - analysis in the "International Journal of Obesity" showed that at a BMI of 25 kg/m², Asians have approximately 3 - 5% more body fat than Caucasians. Due to this, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other health organizations recommend lower BMI cut - offs for Asian populations to define overweight and obesity. For Asians, a BMI of 23 - 24.9 kg/m² is considered overweight, and a BMI of 25 kg/m² or higher is considered obese, compared to the standard cut - offs of 25 - 29.9 kg/m² for overweight and 30 kg/m² or higher for obesity in the general population.

Another study on African - American populations found that they may have a lower percentage of body fat at a given BMI compared to Caucasians. However, African - Americans still have a higher prevalence of obesity - related diseases such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes. This suggests that other factors beyond BMI, like genetic and environmental factors, also play a role in health risks.

BMI Female in Different English - speaking Countries

United States: The United States has one of the highest obesity rates among developed countries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 2020, about 41.9% of adults in the U.S. had obesity (BMI ≥ 30). The prevalence of obesity varies by state, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. For instance, non - Hispanic Black adults have a higher prevalence of obesity (49.9%) compared to non - Hispanic White adults (42.2%).

United Kingdom: In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) reports that around 28% of adults in England were obese in 2020/2021. There are also regional differences within the UK, with higher rates of obesity in some areas of the North of England compared to the South. Obesity is associated with an increased burden on the NHS, contributing to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

Canada: Statistics Canada data shows that the prevalence of obesity among Canadian adults has been increasing. In 2017 - 2018, approximately 26.8% of Canadian adults had obesity. Similar to the U.S. and UK, there are disparities in obesity rates among different ethnic groups and socioeconomic levels.

Australia: Australia has a significant obesity problem. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) states that in 2017 - 2018, around 67% of Australian adults were overweight or obese, with 31.3% being obese. Indigenous Australians have a disproportionately higher rate of obesity compared to non - Indigenous Australians.

New Zealand: In New Zealand, the Ministry of Health reports that about 31% of adults were obese in 2019/2020. There are also notable disparities between ethnic groups, with Māori and Pacific peoples having higher rates of obesity compared to the European/Other population.