
It's not new: many men are too overweight. Their weight affects their health. But what is a normal weight and at what point does one speak of obesity or adiposity? The Body Mass Index (BMI), has become the standard way of assessing body weight. With the help of our BMI calculator, you can easily determine your BMI yourself. You can find everything you need to know here.
Age-related weight assessment for men
For research purposes, weight classification using BMI according to WHO is independent of age and gender. However, to account for the influence of these factors on weight, the calculator uses the more sophisticated classifications of the German Nutrition Society (gender-dependent) and the American National Research Council (age-dependent).
Why can't weight be assessed by pounds or kilograms?
The unit of measurement for indicating body mass is, of course, pounds resp. kilograms and grams – but this is not enough to assess a person's measurements. If a man weighs 180 lbs, he may look slim – if the weight is distributed over a length of 6 feet and 6 inches, for example. If he were only 5 feet and 3 inches tall, one might already see a noticeable belly bulge and recommend that he reduce his weight. Additionally, determining BMI alone is not sufficient for assessing his weight. The calculated value must be classified - what counts as normal weight, when is the person overweight and when must we speak of obesity? The BMI and its classification take into account the individual characteristics of the person, which include:
- the body weight
- the height
- the age
- the sex
How is the BMI calculated?
For the calculation of the Body Mass Index, please determine these values in advance:
- Your current body mass (i.e. your weight)
- The height
The BMI is the quotient of the body mass in kilograms and the square of the body length in metres. Please insert your data into this formula:
BMI = body mass in kg / (height in metres)²
or translated to the Anglo-American units
BMI = 703 × body mass in lbs / (height in inches)²
It's even easier to calculate with our BMI calculator!
How to calculate the BMI (body mass index) ?
How are the BMI figures for men evaluated?
The BMI values determined divide people into different groups:
- People who are underweight
- People who have a normal weight
- People who are overweight
Since there are no upper limits and the physical impairments as well as the health risks increase with rising BMI, overweight is further classified into:
- Overweight
- Severe overweight - obesity I
- Adiposity (obesity) II
- Adiposity III
What should the BMI be for men?
According to the German Nutrition Society, these guideline values apply to the male sex:
Category | Male |
---|---|
Underweight | < 20 |
Normal weight | 20–24.9 |
Overweight | 25–29.9 |
Very overweight | 30–34,9 |
Grade II obesity | 35–39.9 |
Grade III obesity | ≥40 |
- 19-24 aged 19–24
- 20–25 aged 25–34
- 21–26 aged 35–44
- 22–27 aged 45–54
- 23–28 aged 55–65
- 24–29 aged 65+
What does a sample calculation look like?
A 24-year-old man notes down these data:
- Body mass 200 lbs
- Body length 6 feet (72 inches)
Using the above formula, he calculates:
- BMI = 703 × body mass in lbs / (body height in inches)²
- BMI= 703 × 200 lbs / (72 inches)²
- = 27.13 kg/m²
For his age, this BMI value would be too high. Ideally it should not exceed 24 kg/m². For such a value, he would have to reduce his weight by about 23 pounds. According to the German DGE, he is classified as overweight.
Is the calculator also suitable for children?
This calculator is designed for adult males and is not suitable for children or adolescents under 18 years of age. For this, use our BMI calculator for children and young people.
I am losing weight - do I need to recalculate the BMI?
The current body mass is part of the formula of the BMI; if you reduce weight, the BMI must be determined again.
When does the significance of the BMI reach its limits?
Our weight is not only dependent on our body height, stature and the proportion of muscles also play an important role. Muscles weigh more than fatty tissue - which is why the BMI reaches its limits even for people with a lot of trained muscles.
The following BMI is calculated for a strong athlete who participates in bodybuilding competitions:
- Body mass 220 lbs
- Body length 6 feet (72 inches)
- Age 30 years
- Sex male
This results in the following BMI calculation:
- BMI = 703 × 220 lbs / (72 inches)²
- = 29,84 kg/m²
Far from the ideal value for his age (20-25 kg/m²), he would also be severely overweight. However, no one will seriously recommend that he reduce his weight for health reasons.
More online calculators
BMI Calculator Child, Calorie Intake Calculator, Calculate Pregnancy Week, Percent Calculator, Blood Alcohol Calculator
Source information
As source for the information in the 'Body Mass Index' category, we have used in particular:
- WHO Body mass index - BMI (WHO)
- Diet and Health: Implications for Reducing Chronic Disease Risk (National Research Council (US) Committee on Diet and Health)
Last update
This page of the 'Body Mass Index' category was last edited or reviewed by Stefan Banse on February 20, 2023. It corresponds to the current status.
Changes in this category "Body Mass Index"
- Editorial revision of this page