Many men use the BMI calculator to evaluate their Body Mass Index. Using the calculator, they can find out whether they are underweight, normal weight or overweight. Above all, men who think that they are at one or other extreme can find this out using the calculator. The BMI calculator for men can identify their individual healthy bodyweight. It also contributes to a healthy lifestyle. If a man’s bodyweight deviates from normal values, this provides information on their lifestyle. A BMI outside the normal range indicates deficits with regard to healthy diet and movement.
BMI Table
| Classification | BMI |
|---|---|
| Underweight | < 18,5 |
| Normal weight | 18,5 – 24,9 |
| Overweight | 25 – 29,9 |
| Obese class I | 30 – 34,9 |
| Obese class II | 35 – 39,9 |
| Obese class III | > 40 |
The BMI calculator is particularly pertinent for the following men
- Men who believe they are overweight
- Men who suspect that they are suffering from anorexia or weigh too little
- Men who suffer from eating disorders or a lack of exercise
- Men who would like to actively combat a too-high or too-low weight
The BMI calculator should be taken with a pinch of salt for the following men
- (Performance) athletes in general
- Men who want to build a lot of muscle mass or already have (bodybuilders)
- Young men in puberty (youth)
- Children / toddlers / infants
Calculating BMI for men
Body Mass Index for men can be easily calculated. The calculation is the same for men and women. Two values are taken into consideration:
- The man’s height
- The man’s weight
Age does not play a role in the calculation, as it is not used in the formula. The BMI is a result of dividing bodyweight by height in square metres. The formula is portrayed in the following figure.
The significance of BMI calculations for men
The question of what significance the result of a BMI calculation has for an individual man is answered by the various classifications. The World Health Organisation, or the WHO, subdivides BMI into the following classes:
- Underweight
- Normal weight
- Overweight
- Obesity Class 1
- Obesity Class 2
- Obesity Class 3
These subdivisions are based on the classifications set out by the WHO in 2009. Normal weight is achieved if the BMI value lies between 18.5 kg/m² and 24.9 kg/m². This classification forms the basis for the evaluation of health risks – the real purpose of the Body Mass Index – whether you are male or female, young or old. Similarly to the female calculator, categorisation into the underweight or overweight/obese categories requires treatment.
The significance of the BMI calculator for men
How significant is the calculation of Body Mass Index for men? Just as significant as it is for women is the correct answer. In general, the calculation is equally important for both genders. The results, however, are only an indicator and should not be applied as the exclusive basis for lifestyle changing measures (e.g., diets).
It cannot be denied that BMI can be used to categorise the risk of possible health conditions. The WHO has defined which BMI categories are associated with a risk of accompanying symptoms due to being overweight. The following risk classes can be attributed to the BMI classes:
- Underweight = low risk of accompanying symptoms due to being overweight
- Normal weight = average risk of accompanying symptoms due to being overweight
- Pre-obesity = slightly higher risk of accompanying symptoms due to being overweight
- Obesity Class 1 = increased risk of accompanying symptoms due to being overweight
- Obesity Class 2 = high risk of accompanying symptoms due to being overweight
- Obesity Class 3 = very high risk of accompanying symptoms due to being overweight
The advantages and disadvantages of the BMI calculator for men
The advantages of the BMI calculator for men are obvious. Any man can find out and interpret his BMI value in a few steps. The value calculated serves as an indicator to evaluate the current health status of the man. Adult men can investigate their physical fitness by calculating their body mass Index.
However, it can have negative effects if people measure their health exclusively using the Body Mass Index. One weakness of the index is the lack of consideration of how the person’s body mass is made up. Some people have a high bone density, while others have high levels of muscle mass. A high BMI can be due to muscle mass for men in particular. This is common, for example, in bodybuilders or weightlifters.
It is dangerous if someone begins to panic due to a poor Body Mass Index and takes countermeasures without seeking medical advice beforehand. The opposite situation also holds risks: Nobody is completely healthy, even if their BMI is always considered “normal”.
At this point, we would like to advise all men not to evaluate their health using the BMI exclusively.
Alternatives to calculating BMI for men
As an alternative to calculating the Body Mass Index, the following procedures, calculations or investigations can be used:
- Skinfold measurements to determine body fat percentage
- The calculation of the “waist to height ratio”
- The Broca index
- The area mass index
- The body shape index
All of these indices are alternatives or supplements to the Body Mass Index for men and women. However, they do not replace a consultation by a doctor to evaluate individual health status.
Summary of the BMI calculator for men
The BMI calculator gives men a simple tool with which they can get an insight into their own health status. Especially with regard to being overweight, you can figure out a quick classification thanks to the WHO tables. Men have been calculating their BMI for a century. Nowadays, thanks to digital BMI calculators, it is even more simple than before.
However, it is important to take the results with a pinch of salt. Other health factors and your own feeling of well-being must be taken into consideration. The BMI calculator is not a comprehensive tool to evaluate heath status for men nor women.