Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2014

Last exams 2024

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Skills: Calculating BMI (DP IB Biology: SL)

Revision Note

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Body Mass Index Calculations

  • Body Mass Index (BMI) is a rough and ready measure of a person’s mass in relation to their height
  • The calculation of BMI is as follows

Body Mass Index
  • A BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight
  • A BMI 18.5-24.9 is considered normal
  • A BMI of 25.0-29.9 is considered overweight
  • A BMI of 30.0-39.9 is considered obese
  • A BMI of 40.0 or more is considered morbidly obese
  • BMI is a crude measurement as it works against individuals who are heavily muscular but who are also extremely lean; their BMI might be an overestimate
  • BMI may also be misleading in the case of elderly people who have lost a lot of muscle mass; their BMI might be an underestimate

Worked example

Calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI) for an adult male whose mass is 77.3kg and who is 1.73m in height.

Comment on whether his BMI would be regarded as healthy or not.

Step 1: Ensure that mass and height are expressed in the correct units 

Mass units are kg - this is correct

Height units are in metres - this is correct

Step 2: Use the formula

Body Mass IndexThis man's BMI falls just into the 'overweight' category (25.0 - 29.9). It is not possible to judge his health by this measure alone, but if his BMI has been trending upwards over recent time, this might suggest to a doctor that there is an underlying cause of his weight gain.

A nomogram can help to calculate BMI

  • A nomogram is a two-dimensional chart that allows rapid estimation of BMI by reading off two scales, one for mass and one for height
  • A line is drawn, between the two scales, that intersects a third axis in the middle
    • This reveals the BMI

  • This removes the need for a calculation and requires no mathematical expertise
  • Because the relationships between mass, height and BMI are all fixed, they can be represented on a chart like this
  • Nomograms have been largely superseded by rapid online calculators or smartphone apps, but still have a use
    • For example, doctors and health workers will often have a BMI nomogram on the wall of their office for rapid reference when consulting a patient

Body Mass Index Calculations, downloadable IB Biology revision notes

A BMI nomogram. A line can be drawn from the height scale to the mass scale. Where the line intersects the BMI scale is the person’s BMI (26 in this case)

Examiner Tip

We commonly discuss a person's size as 'weight', though strictly speaking, we should refer to their 'mass'. In your written answers, use the scientifically correct term wherever possible.

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Phil

Author: Phil

Expertise: Biology

Phil has a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Birmingham, followed by an MBA from Manchester Business School. He has 15 years of teaching and tutoring experience, teaching Biology in schools before becoming director of a growing tuition agency. He has also examined Biology for one of the leading UK exam boards. Phil has a particular passion for empowering students to overcome their fear of numbers in a scientific context.