Does a BMI Calculator Really Work?
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely accepted mathematical formula that doctors and nutritionists have used for years in order to determine if a person fits within the parameters of a normal, healthy level of body fat. Since these calculators now have such a ubiquitous presence online, millions of people are diagnosing their own fat levels using this simple tool. How does a BMI calculator work? Does it really work? Using a mathematical equation to calculate body fat is not a new concept. The first obesity calculator, the Quetelet Index of Obesity, dates back to the 19th century. In the 1980s, doctors began using the formula as an alternative to the sometimes misleading charts that were in vogue at the time. The U.S. government brought the Index into the limelight in the 90s as part of its campaign against obesity. It is not that difficult to calculate your level of body fat using a common calculator. The formula is as follows: [weight/(height x height)]x703. If you weigh 183 pounds an
