What Does a BMI of 31.8 Mean?
A BMI of 31.8 is considered obese by NIH1 and WHO1 standards. Body mass index (BMI) measures a person's weight in relation to height and is then compared with a weight classification table2 6 to ascertain your weight class.
A BMI of 31.8 is greater than the U.S. national average3 of 28.7 for women by 3.1 points. Your weight is 10.8% higher than the average U.S. female.
You
Average
An obese BMI of 31.8 indicates a potential increased risk for a wide range of associated health diseases and illnesses.4 6 8 BMI cannot determine your health but only your statistical probability to associated health risks.
BMI obese classification can be less accurate for elite or endurance athletes, bodybuilders, pregnant women, or very active women with very little fat and a more significant proportion of muscle.
Does this look similar to your body silhouette? If your body looks entirely different, your BMI could be incorrect. Check your waist to hip ratio.
Heights and Weights at BMI 31.8
| BMI (obese) | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| BMI: 31.8 | 4ft 7 (55") | 136.8 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 4ft 8 (56") | 141.9 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 4ft 9 (57") | 147 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 4ft 10 (58") | 152.2 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 4ft 11 (59") | 157.5 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 5ft 0 (60") | 162.8 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 5ft 1 (61") | 168.3 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 5ft 2 (62") | 173.9 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 5ft 3 (63") | 179.5 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 5ft 4 (64") | 185.3 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 5ft 5 (65") | 191.1 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 5ft 6 (66") | 197 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 5ft 7 (67") | 203.1 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 5ft 8 (68") | 209.2 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 5ft 9 (69") | 215.4 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 5ft 10 (70") | 221.7 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 5ft 11 (71") | 228 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 6ft 0 (72") | 234.5 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 6ft 1 (73") | 241.1 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 6ft 2 (74") | 247.7 lbs |
| BMI: 31.8 | 6ft 3 (75") | 254.4 lbs |
References
- Weir CB, Jan A. BMI Classification Percentile And Cut Off Points. [Updated 2021 May 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541070/
- Garrow, J.S. & Webster, J., 1985. Quetelets index (W/H2) as a measure of fatness. Int. J. Obes., 9(2), pp.147-153.
- CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey : https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_11/sr11_252.pdf
- https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html
- https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/your/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmi_tbl.htm
- https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html#Interpreted
- https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/losing_weight/index.html
- Willett, K. et al., 2006. Comparison of bioelectrical impedance and BMI in predicting obesity-related medical conditions. Obes. (Silver Spring), 14(3), pp.480-490.