Year 10 Pre-Diploma Biology

DATA ANALYSIS - BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)

1.

The body mass index (BMI) considers the weight and height of a person and can be used to
determine if a person is overweight or obese. The nomogram shows the body mass index for a
range of weights and heights.
W e ig h t / k g

H e ig h t / c m

150
140
130

B o d y M a ss In d e x

130

120
110
100
95
90
85

135
50

140
145

O bese
30
O v e rw e ig h t

65

150
155
160

60
55

V e ry O b e se

40

80
75
70

125

N o rm a l
20

50

U n d e rw e ig h t

165
170
175

45

180

40

185
35

10

30

190
195
200
205

25

210

[Source: Adapted with permission from the American College of Neuropschopharmacology (ACNP), from G Bray,
Obesity, Fat intake and Chronic Disease, (2000), www.acnp.org/g4/gn401000154/CH.html]

(a)

State the weight description of a 75 kg man who is 145 cm tall.

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(1)

(b)

A woman of height 150 cm has a BMI of 40. Calculate the minimum weight she must
lose to be considered normal.
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(1)

(c)

Outline the relationship between height and BMI for a fixed weight.
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(1)