Using Body Mass Index (BMI) to Rate your Weight
The Body Mass Index (BMI) identifies possible weight problems for adults by measuring your weight in relation to your height.
- A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy.
- A low BMI is linked with osteoporosis, undernutrition and eating disorders.
A high BMI indicates increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, type 2 diabetes and other health concerns.
Waist Circumference (WC) Helps Predict Health Risk
Waist circumference (WC) is another way to see if you have a healthy weight and detect changes in your body shape and fat distribution over time. A large waist measurement indicates excess fat storage around the middle. Too much fat around your middle (called an "apple" body shape) has a greater health risk than fat around your hip and thigh area (called a "pear" body shape).
A WC of 40 inches (102 cm) or more in men and 35 inches (88 cm) or more in women is associated with increased risk of health problems, including heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea, and certain cancers.2
To make sure your WC is in the right range, ask your healthcare professional to measure it for you at your next visit.
References
1. "Body Composition Tests," American Heart Association, 2005.
2. World Health Organization (WHO). Obesity: Preventing and Managing the Global Epidemic: Report of a WHO Consultation on Obesity, 2000.
