How to Calculate BMI for Women

Women...you will find most of them worried about their weight and figure most of the time of their lifetime. Well, I guess it's in their gender that they are born like that. I bet, every woman in the world, at least once in her life, gets concerned about her weight and appearance. I think they also have a solid reason for doing so. Women's body go through many biological and hormonal changes throughout her life, be it puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, deliveries, miscarriages, birth control operations, or menopause. These processes bring not only physically changes but also emotional changes in women. At such times women may become concerned about their changing physical structure. Hence, resorting to any weight calculator that decides the 'ideal' weight for women can be misleading, inaccurate, and may harm the self-esteem of sensitive women. But, Body Mass Index is one of the internationally used obesity measure that determines the ideal weight of an individual irrespective of his or her gender, race, and age.

What Is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a mathematical measurement of body fat that applies to adult men and women which is based on height and weight calculation. BMI formula was developed by Belgium statistician known as, Adolphe Quetelet. Initially, it was also known as Quetelet formula or Body Mass Indicator but today it is world wide known as BMI.

The formula calculates BMI by dividing an individual's weight in kilograms or pounds by height in meters or inches, squared. This same formula is used to determine the ideal weight for women as well as men. So if you are wondering how to calculate BMI for women then the answer is, by using the BMI formula. Following is the formula that can calculate your BMI correctly:

Imperial BMI Formula: This formula accepts weight in pounds and height in inches and feet.

BMI (lbs / inches ²) = weight in pounds / height in inches ²

Metric Imperial BMI Formula: This formula accepts weight in kilograms and height in either centimeter or meter.

MBI (kg / m²) = weight in kilograms / height in meter ²

Now you know how to calculate BMI for women and men. Calculating BMI using this formula is quite simple but what does the number mean that you get after calculation. Don't worry, a BMI chart for women that is also used by men comes for your rescue at this point.

BMI	Interpretation
18.5 - 25	Normal Weight
BMI > 25	Overweight
BMI <18.5	Underweight
BMI > Or = 30	Obese
BMI > Or = 40	Morbid Obesity

From the above BMI chart it is easier to know what is a healthy BMI for women or what is a normal BMI for women.

How to Calculate BMI Manually?

There are many online calculators that would help you measure your BMI but if you wish to know how to calculate BMI manually then you need to follow the instructions given below:

First, you need to calculate your weight using a weighing machine. Note down the weight on a paper. You can convert the weight in kg into pounds if you are going to use imperial BMI formula.

Next, you need to measure your height using a tape. If you are using metric imperial BMI formula then you have to convert the height in inches into height in meter.

Now, put the weight and height in to the appropriate formula and calculate it using a calculator or on your own if you are good at maths.

Share the above information with everyone who asks you how to calculate BMI for women. But there is only one but significant drawback associated with BMI formula. According to many healthy experts, BMI is also not an ideal system to determine obesity as it does not consider fat percentage, muscle weight, bone structure, and overall constitution of the body and hence it is inaccurate. That is the reason why many doctors advise people to calculate body fat percentage to determine their ideal weight and fitness level.