In males, a BMI of around 13 appears to be fatal. The coefficient of variation (CV) of the BMI is 8.7%. In contrast, females survive to a lower BMI of around 11, although with greater index variability (CV 14%). Several females had BMI's as low as 9 and 10.
A BMI nearing 15 is usually used as an indicator for starvation and the health risks involved, with a BMI <17.5 being one of the DSM criteria for the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa.
BMI ranges
If your BMI is: below 18.5 – you're in the underweight range. between 18.5 and 24.9 – you're in the healthy weight range. between 25 and 29.9 – you're in the overweight range.
A BMI of 21-25 kg/m2 is considered “normal” or “healthy.” What's important to know from a longevity standpoint is that in large, long-term studies, adults who fall within this “healthy” BMI range and whose weight stays stable over time also have the lowest disease and mortality risk.
under 18.5kg/m2 – you are considered underweight and possibly malnourished. 18.5 to 24.9kg/m2 – you are within a healthy weight range for young and middle-aged adults. 25.0 to 29.9kg/m2 – you are considered overweight.
People who start adulthood with a body mass index (BMI) in the normal range and move later in life to being overweight -- but never obese -- tend to live the longest, a new study suggests.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines a healthy adult BMI as being between 18.5 and 25. A BMI less than 18.5 indicates underweight (possibly caused by disease, malnutrition or eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa) and a BMI over 25 as overweight (possibly caused by poor diet choices or lack of exercise).
The American Dietetic Association (ADA) defines the ideal body mass index (BMI) as between 20 and 25. Thus, anyone below that range would be considered underweight and those with a BMI from 18.5 to 17.5 extremely underweight.
Taking a Closer Look at BMI
Underweight: BMI below 18.5. Normal: BMI of 18.5 to 24.9. Overweight: BMI of 25 to 29.9. Obese: BMI of 30 or higher.
BMI for anorexia: DSM-5
According to the DSM-5, BMI criteria for anorexia nervosa (AN) or “anorexia BMI” requires that someone have a BMI of less than 18.5. (3) However, many experts argue that BMI alone is a very poor indicator of health, and should not be part of the criteria involved in the diagnosis of AN.
Models with very low BodyMass Index (BMI) are regarded as size 0 models. It is a measure of body fatbased on height and weight of a person.
for hospitalization:
BMI < 13 is an indicatior for certification under the Mental Health Act if the patient refuses admission although BMI < 13 alone is not enough for admission.
Your body mass index, or BMI, is the relationship between your weight and your height. A BMI of 20-25 is ideal; 25-30 is overweight and over 30 is obese. If your BMI is under 18.5, you're considered underweight. If your BMI is 18.5-20, you're a bit underweight and can't afford to lose more.
BMI weight ranges
below 18.5 is underweight. between 18.5 and 24.9 is healthy. between 25 and 29.9 is overweight. of 30 or over is obese.
Moderate and severe thinness – A BMI <17.0 indicates moderate and severe thinness in adult populations. It has been clearly linked to increases in illness in adults studied in three continents; therefore, it is a reasonable value to choose as a cut-off point for moderate risk.
Studies have generally found that preferred BMIs are less than 20 (Courtiol, Picq, Godelle, Raymond, & Ferdy, 2010; Crossley, Cornelissen, & Tovee, 2012; Tovee & Cornellisen, 2001; Wang et al., 2015), and the BMI with the highest attractiveness rating has been found to be just 17 in several studies (Fan, Liu, & Dai, ...
When looking at average BMI, three countries tie for the least obese country in the world, with an average BMI of 21.1: Madagascar, Eritrea, and Ethiopia.
If your BMI is less than 18.5, it falls within the underweight range. If your BMI is 18.5 to 24.9, it falls within the Healthy Weight range. If your BMI is 25.0 to 29.9, it falls within the overweight range. If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, it falls within the obese range.
BMI ranges
under 18.5 – This is described as underweight. between 18.5 and 24.9 – This is described as the 'healthy range'. between 25 and 29.9 – This is described as overweight. between 30 and 39.9 – This is described as obesity.
To interpret the final number, a BMI: below 18.5 means a person is underweight. between 18.5 and 24.9 means a person is of a “normal,” or healthy, weight. between 25 and 29.9 indicates a person is overweight.
The findings revealed that men preferred women's bodies with lower BMI and body fat levels for attractiveness compared to those considered healthy and fertile. Additionally, younger men preferred women's bodies with lower BMI and body fat levels than older men.
Yes and no. BMI is a useful tool for healthcare professionals to quickly identify health risks—for example, a person with a high BMI has a greater chance of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes—but your BMI alone doesn't provide a detailed picture of your health.
BMI measures your weight-to-height ratio. “People who are taller tend to weigh more, so you can't compare weight without taking height into consideration,” says Dr. Heinberg.
Can a low BMI affect my fertility? Yes. Having a BMI below 18.5 is classed as underweight, which can make it harder to get pregnant. Having a low BMI can also cause your periods to become irregular or stop.