Calculate BMI: what does your BMI say about a healthy weight?
Do you want to lose weight and are you curious about what a healthy weight could be for you? Then calculating your BMI is often a good first step. Your BMI gives an indication of the ratio between your weight and height. But what does the result actually mean? And more importantly: what can you do with it if you want to lose weight?
At Wellumo you can easily Calculate BMI and discover what options are available to lose weight responsibly. If you are eligible for this, you can then start an online medical consultation immediately.
What is BMI?
BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It is a simple calculation that compares your weight to your height. BMI is widely used as a preliminary indicator to assess whether someone is underweight, of a healthy weight, overweight or obese.
The calculation is:
BMI = weight in kilograms / (height in metres × height in metres)
Someone who, for example, is 1.75 metres tall and weighs 85 kilograms has a BMI of approximately 27.8.
Calculate your BMI
Of course, you don't need to get to work with a calculator yourself. With the Wellumo BMI calculator simply enter your height and weight. You will then see your BMI immediately and get an insight into what this result means.
What does my BMI mean?
For adults, the following BMI categories are generally used:
| BMI | Indication |
|---|---|
| Less than 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18,5 – 24,9 | Healthy weight |
| 25,0 – 29,9 | Overweight |
| 30.0 and above | Obesity |
A BMI of 25 or higher therefore means that, according to this classification, there is overweight. From a BMI of 30 we speak of obesity.
However, BMI is a indication and not a full medical assessment. For example, the calculation does not take into account the ratio of muscle to fat mass, fat distribution, age, and other personal or medical factors.
That is why a doctor always looks further than just your BMI.
How many kilos do I need to lose for a healthy BMI?
This is a question many people have when calculating their BMI.
Suppose your BMI falls above the healthy category. Your height and current weight can be used to calculate which weight corresponds to a certain BMI. This gives you a more concrete idea of the difference between your current weight and a weight within the healthy BMI range.
That doesn't mean, by the way, that you have to go straight to a certain ‘ideal weight’. Even a more limited weight loss can already be relevant to your health. What constitutes a realistic and responsible goal varies from person to person.
With Wellumo's calculator you can view what weight loss means for your BMI.
Why does losing weight sometimes not work?
Eating less and moving more sounds simple, but in practice losing weight is often more complex. Body weight is influenced by various factors, including diet, exercise, sleep, hormones, genetic predisposition, medication use and certain medical conditions.
Furthermore, the body can react to weight loss by adjusting, among other things, feelings of hunger and energy expenditure. As a result, it can be difficult to keep once-lost weight off permanently.
When changes in diet and lifestyle do not produce sufficient results, it may therefore be useful to look into additional options together with a doctor.
When can medical support for weight loss be an option?
For some people who are overweight or have obesity, medication support can be part of a treatment plan. Whether this is appropriate depends not only on your BMI.
A doctor looks at, amongst other things, your weight, height, medical history, any other health problems and medicines you are taking. On that basis, it can be assessed which approach is medically sound.
Furthermore, weight loss medication is not a substitute for a healthy diet and sufficient exercise. It is typically used as a supplement to lifestyle changes.
Online intake at Wellumo
Do you want to know what options are available to you? At Wellumo, this starts with an online medical intake.
You fill in questions about, among other things, your height, weight, health, medical history and any medication use. A doctor then assesses your situation and determines whether a treatment is suitable and safe for you.
This is how you get an assessment that goes beyond just the number on the scales or your BMI.
Start by calculating your BMI
If you want to lose weight, it helps to know where you currently stand first. Calculating your BMI takes only a few seconds and gives you an initial indication of the ratio between your height and weight.
Therefore, calculate your BMI first and then see which next steps fit your situation.
Calculate my BMI and view my options →
This information is of a general nature and does not replace personal medical advice. BMI is a screening measure and does not in itself provide a complete assessment of a person's health. Whether a medical treatment is suitable must be assessed individually by a qualified healthcare professional.