One of the ways to know if your weight is appropriate for your height is by calculating the Body Mass Index (BMI), or in Portuguese, Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC). The result of this mathematical formula can indicate, for example, whether you have an appropriate weight, are underweight, overweight, or obese. Consider it only as a starting point, as BMI does not assess your overall nutritional status and needs to be interpreted by a health professional, who will analyze a series of other measures and characteristics, such as age, sex, body fat percentage, among other aspects, before making a diagnosis.
The formula for BMI is the same for everyone. What changes are the cut-off points, that is, the values considered as references for classifying your weight. These references are specific for children, adolescents, adults, the elderly, and pregnant women.
To calculate BMI, divide your weight (in kilograms) by your height (in meters) squared, that is, height x height.
Weight in adults
The parameters indicated by the Ministry of Health for assessing the nutritional status of people aged 20 to 59 are the Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference.
The result of the BMI calculation should be analyzed according to the classification defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), valid only for adults.