Introduction - The BMI Graph

This BMI graph applies to sedentary North Americans and Europeans. BMI, originally developed by Adolphe Quetelet of Belgium, is most accurate for average people of European extraction.

A BMI weight chart is not necessarily accurate for athletes, small framed people, and children.

The BMI index does not give any guidance as to where body fat is located. Recent studies have indicated that abdominal fat is particularly dangerous - as opposed to fat located in other locations.

BMI Chart

BMI Graph

BMI Chart Explanations

You'll see that the bmi index chart is divided into four regions.

Underweight

The left hand, light colored region represents underweight conditions, including anorexia.

Healthy Weight

The healthy region located second from the left represents an ideal BMI range of 18.5 to 24.9. For instance, a five foot, 10 inch person weighing 175 pounds is right on the border of "healthy" and "overweight", while a five foot eight inch person weighing 125 is in the healthy region, but close to the underweight area.

Overweight

Overweight conditions are found in the overweight region. A five foot nine inch person weighing 200 pounds is at the high end of over weight area.

Obese Conditions

Obesity applies to body mass indexes to the right of overweight.

BMI and Health

The "health neutral" zone for BMI is the "healthy region". Increased illness and disease are associated with both underweight and overweight conditions.

That's your BMI chart! And don't forget...