Body Mass Index (BMI)

What is BMI?

BMI is measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. It  is one of the most accurate ways to determine when extra pounds translate into health risks. It was established in 1998 by The National Institute of Health. recipe

Calculate your BMI for FREE:

What Next?

Step I: Find Your Weight Group:

A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy. A person with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, and a person with a BMI of 30 or more is considered obese.

You can also find your weight group on the chart below.

Steps to use chart:
Step 1: Find your weight on the bottom of the graph.
Step 2: Go straight up from that point until you come to the line that matches your height.
Step 3: Then look to find your weight group.

You may also look for your relevant Weight Group in this BMI Table.

The score is valid for both men and women but it does have some limits. The limits are:

1. It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build.
2. It may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle mass.

Step II: Measure your Waist Circumference (WC):

What is WC?

The circumference of your waist around your bare abdomen just above your hip bone.

Why Waist Circumference?

• Not only access weight (as measured by BMI) the location of Fat on your body, determines the degree of Health risk.
• It is a good indicator of your abdominal fat which is another predictor of your risk for developing risk factors for heart disease and other diseases. This risk increases with a waist measurement of over 40 inches in men and over 35 inches in women
• If you carry fat mainly around your waist, you are more likely to develop health problems than if you carry fat mainly in your hips and thighs.
• This risk increases with a waist measurement of over 40 inches in men and over 35 inches in women.

How to measure WC?

Step 1: Place a tape measure around your bare abdomen just above your hip bone.
Step 2: Be sure that the tape is snug, but does not compress your skin, and is parallel to the floor.
Step 3: Relax, exhale, and measure your waist.

Step III: Use this Information:

The table below, provides you with an idea of whether your BMI combined with your waist circumference increases your risk for developing obesity associated diseases or conditions.

Assessments or Conclusions:

• People with BMIs between 19 and 22 live longest.
• For people who are considered obese (BMI greater than or equal to 30) or those who are overweight (BMI of 25 to 29.9) and have two or more risk factors, We recommend eight loss
• People who are overweight or obese have a greater chance of developing high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol or other lipid disorders, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
• Patients who are overweight, do not have a high waist measurement, and have less than 2 risk factors may need to prevent further weight gain rather than lose weight.
• Even a small weight loss (just 10 percent of your current weight) will help to lower your risk of developing diseases associated with obesity.
• If your BMI is between 25 and 30 and you are otherwise healthy, try to avoid gaining more weight, and look into healthy ways to lose weight and increase physical activity

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