A female is 5’6″ tall and weighs 150 pounds. Her Body Mass Index (BMI) is _ and is considered to be in the _ BMI category ranges. BMI = (weight in pounds divided by height in inches squared) x 703 a) 35.20; overweight b) 24.20; healthy c) 35.20; healthy d) 24.20; overweight
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
To calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI) for a female who is 5’6″ tall and weighs 150 pounds, we will use the formula provided:
[
\text{BMI} = \left( \frac{\text{weight in pounds}}{\text{height in inches}^2} \right) \times 703
]
Step 1: Convert Height to Inches
- The height is 5 feet 6 inches.
- To convert this to inches:
[
\text{Height in inches} = (5 \times 12) + 6 = 60 + 6 = 66 \text{ inches}
]
Step 2: Calculate BMI
- Plugging the values into the formula:
[
\text{BMI} = \left( \frac{150}{66^2} \right) \times 703
]
[
\text{BMI} = \left( \frac{150}{4356} \right) \times 703 \approx 24.20
]
Step 3: Determine BMI Category
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) BMI classification:
- Underweight: BMI < 18.5
- Normal weight: BMI 18.5 – 24.9
- Overweight: BMI 25 – 29.9
- Obesity: BMI ≥ 30
With a calculated BMI of 24.20, the individual falls within the normal weight category.
Conclusion
The correct answer is b) 24.20; healthy.
Explanation
BMI is a widely used screening tool that helps to categorize individuals based on their weight relative to their height. While it doesn’t directly measure body fat, it provides a useful estimate that correlates with body fat and health risks. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered optimal for overall health, as individuals in this range generally have a lower risk for developing health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. It’s important to note, however, that BMI does not account for factors like muscle mass, bone density, and fat distribution, so it should be used alongside other assessments for a comprehensive evaluation of health.