This is how you calculate your ideal weight using the BMI calculator.

The BMI calculator is a handy tool for calculating your ideal weight. BMI stands for ‘body mass index’ and represents the ratio between height and weight. This article will show you how it can help you determine your ideal weight and what BMI is all about.

Go to the BMI calculator – calculate your ideal weight now

What BMI is all about

The BMI value is widely represented in the media today and you have probably heard of it. But what exactly is BMI?

The body mass index (BMI for short) found its origin as early as the 19th century. Originally developed by a social statistician in 1832, the Austrian Ignaz Kaup devoted himself to the basic construct after the First World War and developed it further in line with his ideas.

While the original invention of the BMI value was used for statistical purposes, the BMI has developed in recent decades into a tool for individual use. Specifically, it examines the relation between height and weight and categorises the result into a specific range.

Depending on where your BMI value is, you can now see whether you are in the ideal range, have too much body weight or too little body weight. However, BMI is not a panacea, which is why BMI is often criticised.

You should be aware of this when interpreting your value.

Since the BMI calculator only calculates the relation of body weight to height, the following problem arises. If, for example, you like to do weight training, it is likely that you weigh a little more due to your increased muscle mass. This means that you have an increased BMI value, even though you are not actually overweight in that sense. Since muscles weigh more than fat, your BMI value is thus ‘distorted’.

The second problem also has to do with the calculation formula. Because if only your weight and height are taken into account, no subdivision into body types takes place. However, this can be important because the distribution of fat can be crucial for your health.

Fat around the abdomen, for example, is located between the organs and is metabolically active – as a result, hormones are produced that can in turn have a negative effect on fat and sugar metabolism.

However, if the fat deposits are located more in the area of the thighs or hips, this is comparatively less problematic.

This is how you calculate your BMI

Calculate BMI formula – To calculate your individual ideal range, you need a few details about your body. First of all, you need your current age – this is important because different age groups have different reference and ideal values.

Then you need your height in centimetres. The value does not have to be exact to the millimetre. However, it doesn't hurt to actually measure your height to get the most accurate evaluation possible.

The third and final important factor is your body weight. It's best to step on the scales in the morning when you're sober and dressed as lightly as possible and note your weight in kilograms.

Now you can enter your values, including your gender, into the BMI calculator and get your personal BMI value.

What your BMI value indicates

The reference ranges are important for interpreting your value. These range from ‘underweight’ to ‘severe obesity’. You can see the specific, gender-dependent ranges in the following table.

However, the optimal range for your BMI value depends not only on your gender ( BMI women and BMI men), but also on your age. It therefore makes sense to compare and classify your value in this respect as well. The table below shows you the ideal ranges for the respective age groups.

If your personal value is within the normal or ideal range, you can confidently continue with your current lifestyle. However, if your value is above or below the ideal range, you should take a closer look at it and take action if necessary.

What is a healthy BMI? – find out more

How can I change my BMI?

You've had your BMI calculated and the result is in. If you're just a little outside the ideal range, it's not a big deal. But if your value is significantly higher or significantly lower than the normal range, you should be concerned.

Scenario 1: Your BMI is too low

If your BMI is too low, you are considered underweight. Although the negative effects of being overweight are often reported, you should not underestimate the risks of being underweight. Just as with obesity, being underweight increases your risk of heart disease and stroke – not to the same extent, but even a 20 percent increased risk of heart attack is not necessarily desirable.

Depending on how much your value deviates from the normal range, you can now take action on your own or consult an expert. If you are severely underweight, you should seek support from your GP or nutritionist.

What can I do if my BMI is too low? – find out more

However, if your BMI is only slightly outside the ideal range and you want to correct it on your own, you should consider making changes to one or more areas of your life. In particular, diet and physical activity are key factors influencing your BMI.

Therefore, in this case, it won't hurt if you eat a little more than before, for example. It's best to increase your calorie intake with as many healthy calorie bombs as possible, such as oats, nuts or seeds. For example, if you have porridge for breakfast, you can easily increase the amount of oats and top off your meal with energy-rich nuts and seeds.

Scenario 2: Your BMI is too high

An increased BMI value is referred to as overweight, and in more serious cases, as obesity. It is now common knowledge that being overweight increases the risk of coronary heart disease, strokes, heart attacks and diabetes. Nevertheless, the number of overweight people is constantly increasing.

What can I do if my BMI is too high? – find out more

We will now explain in more detail how you can counteract a BMI that is too high. The same applies as for a BMI that is too low. If the value is only slightly above the normal range, you can of course take action yourself.

However, if your value is significantly increased and you are already in the range characterised as obesity, it does no harm to consult an expert. This could be your personal GP, your nutritionist or even a sports physician.

Generally speaking, only a long-term change in lifestyle will bring long-term results. So don't change everything overnight, but rather try to adapt your lifestyle step by step.

A targeted calorie reduction can be extremely useful here, ideally supplemented by sufficient exercise. Find out which type of sport is best suited for this and what role sport plays in losing weight in concrete terms.

When it comes to nutrition, less is more for you from now on. Because a controlled and targeted calorie reduction, i.e. neither too little nor too much, can help you achieve your ideal weight.

It's best to start with breakfast. We particularly recommend porridge, because the fibre not only helps to stimulate your digestion, but also keeps you feeling full for longer and prevents hunger pangs.

Do you know your daily calorie requirement? Use the free calorie calculator from Verival.

Organic porridge from Verival – discover it now

We hope that this blog post has given you a little insight into the world of BMI. If you would like to learn more about it, please feel free to visit our blog, where this and many other topics are explored in more detail. Enjoy browsing 😉

You can quickly and easily calculate your BMI here.

Calculate your BMI now!