Body Mass Index (BMI) is one of the
most accurate ways to determine when extra pounds translate
into health risks. BMI is a measure which takes into account
a person’s weight and height to gauge total body fat in
adults. Someone with a BMI of 26 to 27 is about 20 percent
overweight, which is generally believed to carry moderate
health risks. A BMI of 30 and higher is considered obese.
The higher the BMI, the greater the risk of developing additional
health problems.
Heart disease, diabetes and high blood
pressure are all linked to being overweight. A BMI of 30
and over increases the risk of death from any cause by 50
to 150 percent, according to some estimates. According to
health experts, people who are overweight but have no other
health risk factors (such as high cholesterol or high blood
pressure) should eat healthier and exercise to keep from
gaining additional weight. For people who are overweight
and also have health risks, they recommend trying to actively
lose weight. Be sure to consult your doctor or other health
professional before beginning any exercise or weight-loss
program.
In June 1998, the federal government
announced guidelines which create a new definition of a
healthy weight -- a BMI of 24 or less. So now a BMI of
25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. Individuals who
fall into the BMI range of 25 to 34.9, and have a waist
size of over 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women,
are considered to be at especially high risk for health
problems.
Use the BMI CALCULATOR below to figure
your BMI and then refer to the chart to see ranges for a
healthy BMI.
To use the table below, find the appropriate
height in the left-hand column. Move across to a given weight.
The number at the top of the column is the BMI for that
height and weight. Pounds have been rounded off. SOURCE:
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Both Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist
Circumference (WC) can be useful measures of determining
obesity and increased risk for various diseases. According
to the National Institutes of Health, a high WC is associated
with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia,
hypertension and cardiovascular disease when BMI is between
25 and 34.9. (A BMI greater than 25 is considered overweight
and a BMI greater than 30 is considered obese.) WC can be
useful for those people categorized as normal or overweight
in terms of BMI. (For example, an athlete with increased
muscle mass may have a BMI greater than 25 - making him
or her overweight on the BMI scale - but a WC measurement
would most likely indicate that he or she is, in fact, not
overweight). Changes in WC over time can indicated an increase
or decrease in abdominal fat. Increased abdominal fat is
associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
To determine your WC, locate the upper
hip bone and place a measuring tape around the abdomen (ensuring
that the tape measure is horizontal). The tape measure should
be snug but should not cause compressions on the skin. The
following chart should be helpful in determining the possible
risks associated with your BMI and WC.
|
Classification
of Overweight and Obesity by BMI, Waist Circumference
and Associated Disease Risks
|
|
Disease
Risk* Relative to Normal Weight and Waist Circumference
|
|
BMI
(kg/m2)
|
Obesity
Class
|
Men
102 cm (40 in) or less
Women 88 cm (35 in) or less
|
Men
> 102 cm (40 in)
Women > 88 cm (35 in)
|
| Underweight |
<
18.5
|
|
-
|
-
|
| Normal |
18.5
- 24.9
|
|
-
|
-
|
| Overweight |
25.0
- 29.9
|
|
Increased
|
High
|
| Obesity |
30.0
- 34.9
|
I
|
High
|
Very
High
|
|
35.0
- 39.9
|
II
|
Very
High
|
Very
High
|
| Extreme
Obesity |
40.0
+
|
III
|
Extremely
High
|
Extremely
High
|
NOTE: The above chart still does
not consider the percentage of body fat.
My BMI is 27 and my waist is under 40" (like most people).
My normal body fat percent of 10% to 11% does not put me
at a greater disease risk.
* Disease risk for type
2 diabetes, hypertension, and CVD.
+ Increased waist circumference can also be
a marker for increased risk even in persons of normal weight.
SOURCE: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
|
