| Body Mass Index |
Body Mass Index (BMI) measures weight in relation to height. The ranges shown are for adults and
should not be used for children. Use the Height-Weight Tables
for children.
To determine your BMI, simply enter your height and weight where specified below. The calculator
will automatically calculate your BMI score.
|
| How to measure height and weight |
|
Height Measurement - If you are not sure how tall you are, then follow these easy steps:
|
- Stand with your head, buttocks, and feet touching a vertical wall. If this is not possible
due to large amounts of body fat, simply stand erect, with hands relaxed at your sides.
- Look forward and keep your head straight and in an upright position.
- Straighten your spine so that your height is maximized.
- Have a friend gently lower a ruler down on your head, taking care to keep it horizontal to
the floor. Your friend should then mark your height on the wall with a light pencil.
- Use a measuring tape to determine your height.
|
|
Weight Measurement - If you have not had your weight measured in the last month by a health care
professional, follow these easy steps to measure your weight at home:
|
-
Weight should be taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach or two hours after
your last meal.
-
Clothing should be minimal. Shoes should not be worn.
-
Weight fluctuates day-to-day and in females throughout the menstrual cycle. You might want
to weigh yourself for three days and use the average weight.
|
| BMI Calculator |
|
|
|
|
NOTE: Your browser must support Javascript for the calculator to work.
|
|
| BMI |
Category |
Health Risk Based Solely On BMI |
Risk Adjusted for the Presence of Co-morbid Conditions and/or Risk Factors |
| Below 18.5 |
Underweight |
Low |
Moderate |
| 18.5-24.9 |
Healthy Weight |
Minimal |
Low |
| 25-29.9 |
Overweight |
Moderate |
High |
| 30-34.9 |
Obese |
High |
Very High |
| 35-39.9 |
Very Obese |
Very High |
Extremely High |
| 40+ |
Morbid Obesity |
Extremely High |
Extremely High |
|
|
|
On the BMI table above, find your score and the health risk for which it is assessed. For example,
a BMI score of 18.5 - 25 is associated with the lowest health risk based solely on BMI scores. If
your score is 25 - 30, you are considered to be at increased risk for health problems that are
negatively impacted by obesity, such as diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol or hypertension.
BMI above 30 places you at higher health risks. Exceptions to a high BMI score include competitive
athletes and body builders, whose BMI is high due to increased muscle mass, and women who are
pregnant or lactating. The BMI is also not intended for use in measuring growing children or frail,
elderly individuals.
|
|
|
| Why is BMI Important? |
|
If your BMI is high, you may have an increased risk of developing certain diseases, including:
|
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- High blood cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Certain types of cancer
- Arthritis
- Breathing problems
|
| Prevention of further weight gain is important and weight reduction is desirable.
|
|
What is a co-morbid condition or other risks factors for chronic diseases?
|
|
Co-morbidity is any condition associated with obesity that usually worsens as the degree of obesity
increases and often improves as obesity is successfully treated. The more of the risk factors from
the following list that you have, the more likely you are to benefit from weight loss if you are
overweight or obese*:
|
- Do you have a personal or family history of heart disease?
- Are you male over 45 years or a postmenopausal female?
- Do you smoke cigarettes?
- Do you have a sedentary lifestyle?
- Has your doctor told you that you have high blood pressure, abnormal blood lipids (high
cholesterol, low HDL, high triglyceride), or diabetes?
|
| * Source: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2000 |
| Improving Your Health: |
|
Weight reduction is an important way to reduce your BMI and improve your overall health. Even a
modest 5% reduction from your current weight is beneficial to your health. For instance, a 5' 2"
female who weighs 150 pounds (BMI=27), can improve her health by losing as little as seven pounds,
reducing her BMI to 26.
|
| Tipping The Scales In Your Favor: |
|
The Energy Balance Equation is the key factor in the weight loss/weight gain puzzle. In other words
- if you consistently consume more energy (calories) than you use up, you will gain weight and the
reverse is also true, burning more energy (calories) than you consume will cause weight reduction.
It's really as simple as that!
|
| Remember These Tips: |
- Set Realistic Goals
- The best way to lose weight and keep it
off is to balance the foods you eat with daily physical activity.
- Eat a healthy diet and get the recommended
30 minutes or more of daily physical activity.
- Develop healthy habits, since permanent changes will lead to a lifetime of better health.
|
