Determining how much calories you should burn must not be based alone on your current weight. If you want a more accurate analysis of your weight and what your fitness goals should be, find out what your body mass index is.
What Body Mass Index Measures
Body Mass Index or BMI takes into account a person’s height and weight in order to determine the overall body fat percentage of an individual. A taller person, for instance, could weigh heavier than
someone shorter but that doesn’t mean the former has weight problems. It’s possible that the increase in weight is due to the person’s increased height. One way of knowing whether a taller person is overweight as well is by calculating his body mass index.
How to Use a BMI Calculator
The easiest way to determine your BMI is by using a BMI calculator, which can be found online. Make sure you use only those offered by 
reputable sites such as Mayo Clinic. Also ascertain if the BMI
calculator you are using is for adult or children’s use. There’s a small but significant difference between the two so use what’s appropriate.
When using a BMI calculator, you will be asked for your current weight either in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lbs) as well as your height (feet plus inches in most cases).
Some advanced models of weighing scales are capable of calculating BMI as well. You will have to step on the scales barefoot and take off all your jewelry, however, as socks and accessories can cause the
weighing scale to provide inaccurate calculations.
Evaluating Your Results
In most cases, you will be provided with a range to base your results on.
Underweight – BMI Less Than 18.5
Normal Weight – BMI within 18.5 – 24.9
Overweight – BMI within 25 – 29.9
Obese – BMI of 30 and above
From this range, you can have a fairly good idea already of the type of diet and workout program you should follow in order to attain your ideal weight. Be aware, however, that having a normal BMI doesn’t mean you’re on the safe zone right away. Check your exact fat percentage as well and see if you need to tone down and convert more fat to muscle while still maintaining your weight.
Possible Inaccuracies with BMI
BMI calculations, however, are not perfect. Your results are likely to be inaccurate if you are already extremely fit or muscular, the way body builders often are. BMI also has a tendency to underestimate a
person’s body fat if he has an unusually low muscle mass or if he is of senior age. Last but not the least, BMI is not the perfect method to use for those with unusually high abdominal fat levels as BMI won’t be able to accurately portray the health risks they’ve incurred due to their overall fat percentage and weight.