Body Mass Index (BMI)

BMI is a convenient, commonly used tool that measures weight relative to height and is an indicator of total body fat. The amount of body fat is, in turn, related to your risk of developing certain diseases.

Limitations of BMI

Since it’s solely based on body weight, the BMI measurement does not differentiate between fat and muscle. For this reason, if you’re an athlete or you have a muscular build, your BMI value may indicate that you’re overweight or obese when in reality, you may have little body fat and a lot of muscle, which is beneficial to health. On the contrary, for those who have lost muscle mass (such as older persons or people with injuries), BMI may underestimate the amount of body fat.

Also, as stated previously, keep in mind that BMI is only one measurement used to determine health risk and should be considered within the context of the entire health assessment profile.

Use this form to calculate your body mass index (BMI).

Remember that health cannot be determined by one tool alone, but a combination of factors contributes to overall health status.

Interpreting your BMI

The BMI measures your weight relative to your height and is an indicator of total body fat. The amount of body fat is, in turn, related to your risk of developing certain diseases.

Using the chart below, find in which range your BMI falls and check the corresponding weight status.

BMI	Weight Status
Below 18.5	Underweight
18.5 – 24.9	Normal
25.0 – 29.9	Overweight
30.0 and above	Obese

Underweight

Being underweight or severely underweight (BMI below 18.5) is a health risk because it may indicate that your body is not receiving adequate nutrition. If you are having any difficulty eating or digesting, or experiencing disordered eating, you should consult your healthcare provider¹.

Normal

Your BMI indicates that you are at a healthy weight for your height. Practicing good nutrition and being physically active are key lifestyle practices to help prevent future weight gain. 

Overweight and Obese

According to your BMI, you are carrying excess weight, which increases your risk for various diseases and health conditions including:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Gallbladder disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
• Certain cancers (breast and colon) (2)

Losing weight will help decrease this risk. Even a slight weight loss — such as 10% of your current weight — will significantly decrease your risk of developing these health conditions.

Sources:

National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute.  Aim for a Healthy Weight.  Accessed June 2011.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  About BMI for Adults.  Accessed June 2011.

The above BMI chart and information applies to U.S. adults, not to children, youth and pregnant women. This information is not intended to take the place of advice from a healthcare professional. Check with your physician before starting any diet or exercise program. In addition, while all efforts have been made to ensure the information included in this material is correct, new research is released frequently and may invalidate certain pieces of data. 6/11

Waist Circumference

Measuring waist circumference helps screen for health risks associated with overweight and obesity. If most of your fat is deposited around your waist rather than at your hips, you are at a higher risk.

Interpreting Your Waist Circumference

Health Risk Increases When Waist Circumference is:

• Women: Greater than 35 inches
• Men: Greater than 40 inches

To measure your waist circumference, stand and place a tape measure around your waist above your hipbones, right after you breathe out.

Other Risk Factors

Along with overweight or obesity and waist circumference, the following factors will put you at a greater risk for conditions such as heart disease, type II diabetes, and certain cancers. Please consult your healthcare provider for more information.

• High blood pressure
• Cholesterol profile: High LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol
• High triglycerides
• High blood glucose
• Family history of chronic disease
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking

Basic Health Assessment with Bon Appétit

If you would like recommendations from a Bon Appétit nutrition expert, see our Ask the Expert Page. 

Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Weight-control Information Network
• National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to take the place of advice from a health professional. Check with your physician before starting any diet or exercise program. While all efforts have been made to ensure the information included in this material is correct, new research is released frequently and may invalidate certain pieces of data. 7/11.