What is a BMI?
Body mass index (BMI) is a term often talked about when assessing the physical condition of a person with an eating disorder. BMI is a measure of an adult's physical wellbeing, so the BMI of young people should only be assessed using the correct 'percentile' charts as their bodies have not fully developed.
BMI is calculated by taking weight (in kilos) and dividing it by height (in metre) squared.
| BMI = |
weight
height squared |
i.e. 1.7 m height and 50 kilos BMI = |
50
1.7*1.7 |
| = | 17.3 BMI |
For an adult, a healthy BMI will be in the region of BMI 20 - 25. The risk of developing anorexia rises significantly under BMI 18.
