Anorexic BMI Calculator

When considering anorexia nervosa (AN), a BMI result is more than just a number—it's a window into an individual's health that requires careful interpretation. While BMI specifiers offer a framework for identifying AN, recent studies suggest that they may not fully capture the severity of the condition, especially in hospital settings where patients often present with extremely low BMI.

Anorexia Hospitalization BMI Threshold

• A BMI below 15 suggests a severe anorexia BMI that requires immediate medical attention.
• Those with a BMI between 13.6 and 14.99 fall into a critical category, often requiring hospitalization for intensive care.
• A new proposed category, "very extreme" AN, with a BMI ≤ 13.5, doesn't necessarily indicate a distinct clinical group from those with slightly higher BMIs. Yet, it signals a need for immediate and specialized medical intervention .

Also, note that while a low BMI is a significant health risk, it doesn't always correlate with the intensity of eating disorder psychopathology.

BMI is maybe the most important tool for assessing the physical aspect of AN but, it's only part of the picture. The treatment and recovery journey for those with AN varies and goes beyond just achieving a healthy BMI. Treatment that addresses both physical and mental health is essential for recovery.

How we calculated your BMI?

To calculate your BMI (Body Mass Index), we followed these steps:

• You enter your weight in your usual unit (pounds or kilograms).
• Same for height using your preferred unit (inches or meters).
• We square your height (multiply it by itself).
• Then we divide your weight by your squared height.
• If you used pounds and inches, we multiplied the result by 703, otherwise no need for conversion.
• The resulting number is your BMI.

This number gives you a basic idea of whether you fall into a normal category or if you have strong reason to consider reaching for help.