A major error in nomograms for estimating body mass index.

The Surgeon General's Report on Nutrition and Health and Diet and Health include a nomogram for determining body mass index (BMI, in kg/m2) when the subject's weight and height are known. I regret to report that the BMI in nomograms in these books are highly inaccurate when compared with direct calculations of BMI. Anyone wishing to use a nomogram for the rapid estimation of BMI should be cautioned against relying on the versions that appear in these books.