Health and converters: BMI, energy and units
Use BMI, BMR, percentages and unit conversions for specific questions. Understand what each result measures and when individual assessment is needed.
Last reviewed:
Interpret adult BMI with care
Standard BMI describes the relation between adults' weight and height; it does not measure health or distinguish muscle from fat. Children require age-adjusted ISO-BMI and assessment by child health or school health services. Do not apply adult thresholds to children or use BMI alone for medical decisions.
Separate BMR from total energy needs
BMR estimates energy needed at rest. Total needs also depend on activity and individual circumstances, and the estimate is not a personal meal plan. Questions about health or nutrition require an assessment of your wider situation.
Choose the right percentage and unit
An increase from 1 000 to 1 100 is 10% because the difference of 100 is divided by the original 1 000. Percentage change and percentage points are different measures. Check inputs and units when converting temperature, speed, mass, energy or data storage.
Sources used for this topic
- 1177 – BMI
- 1177 – ISO-BMI
- 1177 – pregnancy week by week
- 1177 – ultrasound during pregnancy
- Act (1989:253) on Public Holidays
- WHO adult BMI classification (Wikipedia summary)
- BMI-for-age percentile interpretation (WHO/CDC)
- Mifflin et al. – original resting-energy study
- Frankfurter – daily exchange-rate documentation
- European Central Bank – reference exchange rates