The Anorexic BMI Calculator finds your Body Mass Index and shows whether it falls in a range associated with anorexia nervosa, along with the healthy weight range for your height.
BMI = 23.0 kg/m² (Not in the anorexic range)
| BMI | 23.0 kg/m² |
| Classification | Not in the anorexic range |
| Weight at BMI 17.5 (anorexia threshold) | 122.0 lbs |
| Healthy weight range (BMI 18.5–25) | 128.9 lbs – 174.2 lbs |
Body Mass Index (BMI) is weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Health organisations use it as a quick screen for weight-related risk. For adults, the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-5 grades the severity of anorexia nervosa partly by BMI: mild 17 and above, moderate 16–16.99, severe 15–15.99 and extreme below 15. The World Health Organization calls any BMI below 18.5 underweight.
Anorexia nervosa is a serious mental illness defined by restricted eating, an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, not by a number. People can be severely ill at a "normal" BMI, and some people are naturally thin. If you or someone you know is worried about eating, talk to a doctor or contact an eating disorder helpline; recovery is possible and early help matters.
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height² (m²). In U.S. units, BMI = 703 × weight (lb) ÷ height² (in²). Worked example: a person 5 ft 10 in (70 in) tall weighing 160 lb has BMI = 703 × 160 ÷ 4,900 = 23.0, in the healthy range. The calculator also shows the weight at BMI 17.5 and the healthy range for your height.
Rapid weight loss, skipping meals, obsessive calorie counting, excessive exercise, wearing baggy clothes to hide the body, missed periods, dizziness, feeling cold and social withdrawal can all be signs of an eating disorder. Children and teenagers should be assessed with BMI-for-age percentiles rather than adult categories.
What BMI is considered anorexic? Below 17.5 was the older guideline; DSM-5 rates severity from below 17.
Is a low BMI always unhealthy? Not always, but below 18.5 deserves a check-up.
Where can I get help? A family doctor, a mental health professional or a national eating disorder association.