Question

When figuring your BMI, doesn't your bone size and structure affect the calculation?

Answer 1

Body mass index -- BMI -- is a measurement used by doctors to classify a patient as underweight, overweight or right on target. Body frame size is not used when calculating BMI; instead, you can figure out your BMI using your height and weight. The BMI measurement does not take into account body composition or sex differences, so its accuracy is debatable.


BMI Breakdown

BMI is based on the concept that your body weight should be proportional to your height. Using the metric system to calculate BMI, you would use your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters, squared, using this equation: BMI = [weight in kilograms / (height in meters)2].

To use pounds and inches, multiply 703 times your weight in pounds divided by your height in inches, squared. The equation is: BMI = weight in pounds / (height in inches X height in inches) X 703.

For men and women 20 years and older, BMI is interpreted using these categories:
Below 18.5 = Underweight 18.5 to 24.9 = Normal or Healthy Weight 25.0 to 29.9 = Overweight 30.0 and Above = Obese.

For example, the equation for a 5-foot 10-inch man at 185 pounds would be: BMI = 185 / (70 X 70) X 703 = 26.5.

With a BMI of 26.5, this man is considered overweight. However, the BMI measurement does not account for the weight of water, bone or muscle. Keep in mind that muscle is denser and thus weighs more than fat, so a person who strength trains frequently may be classified as overweight according to BMI, yet actually have a healthy body weight.

Calculate Ideal Body Weight Range Using Frame Size

Factors that influence a person's ideal body weight -- IBW -- include height, sex, age, body frame, body type and activity level. Since body weight fluctuates depending on these variables, your IBW actually lies within a range. You can figure out your IBW range using your height and a sex-specific equation. Men use 106 pounds as a baseline for the first 60 inches -- 5 feet -- of height, and then add 6 pounds for every inch over 5 feet. Likewise, women use 100 pounds as a baseline, and then add 5 pounds for every inch over 5 feet. A person under 5 feet tall would use 100 pounds as a baseline, and then subtract 2 pounds for each inch under 5 feet.

As an example, for a man that stands 5 feet 10 inches: IBW = 106 + (10 X 6) = 166 pounds

And for a woman that stands 5 feet 8 inches: IBW = 100 + (8 X 5) = 140 pounds

According to registered dietitian and author Timi Gustafson, body frame size influences your ideal weight range. A simple and straightforward method to determine your frame size is wrist measurement. Wrap your thumb and middle finger around your wrist, just above the wrist joint. If the fingers overlap, then you have a small frame. If they just meet, then you have a medium frame. If your thumb and finger don’t meet, then you have a large body frame.

The equation gives the IBW for a medium-framed adult. A large-framed adult will add 10 percent to the IBW for a target weight range; in contrast, a small-framed adult will subtract 10 percent.