BMI and its limits
BMI divides weight by height squared. It’s a quick population screen, but it can’t see muscle, so strong people often read as overweight.
Body fat ranges
Waist-to-height
Keeping your waist under half your height is a simple target linked with lower health risk, and it works for most body types.
0.5waist-to-height: keep below this
3measures together beat any one alone
Key takeaways
- BMI is a screen, not a verdict
- Waist-to-height under 0.5 is a simple target
- Track trends, with the same method each time
General information, not medical advice. If you have a health condition, are pregnant, or take medication, check with a professional first. See the medical disclaimer.
Sources
- World Health Organization. Body mass index classifications.
- NICE. Overweight and obesity management: waist-to-height ratio, 2022.
- American Council on Exercise. Percent body fat norms.
Keep the numbers in perspective
Body metrics are estimates. BMI, body fat formulas and FFMI are useful for following a trend over months, but any single reading can be off, and none of them describe your health on their own. Measure under the same conditions each time and compare like with like.