O Globo Publishes IMC Calculator and Warns It Is Only a Starting Point

Overview

• O Globo published two explanatory pieces and an interactive IMC calculator on Friday that let readers estimate weight ranges by height using the IMC formula.
• IMC is calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared and classifies adults as underweight (<18.5), normal (18.5–24.9), overweight (25–29.9) or obese (≥30).
• Doctors and cited health portals emphasize concrete limits of IMC: it does not show muscle mass, body fat percentage, fluid retention or where fat is stored on the body.
• Clinical next steps recommended for people outside the normal IMC range include a full assessment with waist measurement and body composition, lifestyle changes for most cases, and medication or bariatric surgery for severe obesity.
• The practical risk is that IMC can mislabel individuals — for example athletes with high muscle or thin people with low muscle — so readers are urged to seek personalized evaluation from qualified professionals.