What is my Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person's weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. BMI is used as a screening tool to identify possible weight problems for adults. However, BMI is not a diagnostic tool. For example, a person may have a high BMI. However, to determine if excess weight is a health risk, a healthcare provider would need to perform further assessments. BMI is calculated by taking a person's weight in kilograms (KG) and dividing it by their height in meters squared ie. weight (in kilograms)/(Height x Height) (in meters). Because it is not always possible to know your exact height and weight, BMI calculations from this website may not be completely accurate. If you are unsure of your exact height and weight, call the New Haven Clinical Research Unit at 1-800-254-6398 to speak with a staff member.