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2018-08-19

BMI calculation (in the case of Amputation)

What is the abbreviation of “BMI” that don’t know, in the meantime, pretty much everyone, even people which come from the health sector. It stands for Body Mass Index. This Index represents a relationship between the Köfpergewicht and the length of the body. On the basis of the values resulting outcomes and defined limit, can be quickly a standard weight for people, may make:

  • Underweight: BMI below 18.5
  • Normal weight: BMI of 18.5 to 24.9
  • Overweight: BMI of 25 to 29.9
  • Obesity (obesity / Obesity): BMI of 30 to 39
  • Severe obesity (obesity / Obesity): BMI of 40

The formula for the calculation of the “normal” BMIs is as follows:

BMI = [body weight in kg] divided by [height in meters x height in meters]

An example: In the case of a body height of 1.80 m and a weight of 75kg is the formula:

75kg : (1.80 m x 1.80 m) = BMI 23,15

Yesterday I got the question how to calculate the BMI for an Amputation ?! This is, of course, possible. Each part of the body has in the calculation formula of a fixed correction value:

  • Hand: 0,8
  • Forearm: 2,2
  • Upper arm: 8.5 in
  • whole Arm: 11,5 (The correction value of a whole leg is calculated from the individual missing limbs)
  • Foot: 1,8
  • Lower thigh: 5,3
  • Thigh: 11,6
  • whole leg: 18,7 (The correction value of a whole leg is calculated from the individual missing limbs)

The calculation of the BMIs in the case of a person with Amputation is as follows: As an example, we take an approximately 40 year old man with 52kg body weight and a body height of 1.80 m, a leg was amputated

Weight = 52 x 100 : (100 – 1,8 – 5,3 – 11,6) = 64kg (rounded up)

With the flat 64kg expected (what a person weigh in with his leg) is now,

the usual BMI calculated: 64kg : (1.80 m x 1.80 m) = BMI of 19.8

Important note: I can and give no warranty as to the accuracy of the described in this article formulas and results. It is always advisable to be accurate and extremely current BMI-value tables of health insurance companies, doctor’s offices and pharmacies and according to these, the BMI of individuals from the calculation. An incorrect calculation of the Body Mass Index would have fatal and severe consequences for the caregiver and care receiver.