Home Forums Discussions Problems BMI - missing units

The records police is requesting units on the BMI and it appears Amazing Charts is failing to append it to the end of the value. I am using version 6.6.2.

Is the reported value in kg/m2 or in lb/in2 ?

I don't think there are any units per se. The formula using inches and pounds has a conversion factor (x703) built in.
See below
Greg
Kilograms and meters (or centimeters) Formula: weight (kg) / [height (m)]2
With the metric system, the formula for BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Since height is commonly measured in centimeters, divide height in centimeters by 100 to obtain height in meters.
Example: Weight = 68 kg, Height = 165 cm (1.65 m)
Calculation: 68 ? (1.65)2 = 24.98
Pounds and inches Formula: weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703
Calculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) squared and multiplying by a conversion factor of 703.
Example: Weight = 150 lbs, Height = 5'5" (65")
Calculation: [150 ? (65)2] x 703 = 24.96

The units are kg/m2. All the numbers we know (normal is <25, overweight 25-30, obese >30) are based on kg/m2.
I think Greg is essentially correct. If you calculate using pounds and inches, the 703 factor is needed to be able to use the scale of values to which we are accustomed. Otherwise, you get BMI's like 0.036 (which we think of as 25).