Calculating BMI for Amputees: A Comprehensive Guide

Body Mass Index (BMI) measures the ratio between height and weight to determine a healthy weight range. If a patient has an amputation, you must adjust the weight measurement to reflect the missing limb in order to figure an accurate BMI. By adding a percentage to the actual weight of the person, you can calculate the BMI for an amputee to help analyze weight.

Things You'll Need

• Calculator

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Weigh the person without a prosthesis and write this measurement down.

• 2

  Use a chart to determine the weight of the missing body part(s). For example, a missing hand comprises .7 percent of the total body weight, an arm comprises 5 percent and an entire leg comprises 16 percent.

• 3

  Multiply the person's weight by the percentage for the appropriate body part(s) to find the estimated amount of weight represented by the missing limb(s).

• 4

  Add the weight and the estimated weight of the missing body part(s) together. Multiply this by 703.

• 5

  Measure the person's height without shoes. Multiply this height measurement by itself (square it).

• 6

  Divide the total from step 4 by the squared height figure to determine the adjusted BMI.