What is the body mass index for a 75 kg, 161 cm individual?

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BMI Calculation: 75 kg, 161 cm

The BMI for a person weighing 75 kg and measuring 161 cm in height is 28.9 kg/m², which classifies this individual as overweight. 1

Calculation Method

  • BMI is calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m²) 1
  • For this individual: 75 kg ÷ (1.61 m)² = 75 ÷ 2.5921 = 28.9 kg/m² 1
  • Alternative formula using pounds and inches: [weight (lb) ÷ height (inches)²] × 703 1

Clinical Classification

  • BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m² is defined as overweight; BMI ≥30.0 kg/m² is defined as obesity 1
  • This individual falls into the overweight category at 28.9 kg/m², just below the obesity threshold 1
  • The median BMI for U.S. adults is 25.5 kg/m², making this individual above the population median 2

Height-Specific Context

  • At 161 cm height, this individual's weight places them at approximately the 85th-90th percentile for weight compared to reference populations 1
  • For a 161 cm individual with medium frame, the 50th percentile weight ranges from 54-65 kg depending on age and sex, while 85th percentile ranges from 73-81 kg 1
  • The current weight of 75 kg exceeds typical reference ranges for this height 1

Clinical Implications

  • BMI ≥25 kg/m² is associated with increased cardiovascular and metabolic risk 1
  • Every 5-unit increase in BMI above 25 kg/m² is associated with a 30% increase in all-cause mortality 1
  • Additional assessment of waist circumference is recommended, as BMI alone has only 50% sensitivity for detecting excess adiposity 1

Important Limitations

  • BMI does not distinguish between lean mass and fat mass, and may misclassify individuals with high muscle mass 1
  • BMI has good specificity (95% in men, 99% in women) but poor sensitivity (36% in men, 49% in women) for detecting obesity 1
  • At similar BMI levels, women typically have higher body fat percentages than men 1

References

1
Guideline

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Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

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This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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