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What is body mass index?
Determining how much you should weigh is not a simple matter of looking at an insurance height-weight chart, but includes considering the amount of bone, muscle, and fat in your body's composition. The amount of fat is the critical measurement.
A good indicator of how much fat you carry is the Body Mass Index (BMI).
Although it is not a perfect measure, it gives a fairly accurate assessment of
how much of your body is composed of fat.
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Use our online index to calculate your BMI:
Or use the formula below, provided by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
• English formula BMI = weight in
pounds ÷ (height in inches)2 x 703
• Metric formula BMI = weight in kilograms ÷ (height in meters)2
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According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
(NHLBI), a body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5 is
considered underweight.
A healthy BMI for adults is between 18.5 and 24.9. BMI
ranges are based on what impact body weight has on disease
risk and death.
When interpreting this score, keep in mind that BMI
has some limits, including:
- Your BMI score may overestimate body fat in athletes
and those with a muscular build.
- Your BMI score may underestimate body fat in older
person or persons who have lost muscle mass.
- BMI is not appropriate for pregnant or breastfeeding
women.
Some government agencies and professional health organizations
do not agree on the interpretation of results and the
weight classifications listed above. Always consult
your physician for additional information regarding
your individual health risks and medical history, and
to discuss the limitations of BMI.
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According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
(NHLBI), a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 24.9 is
normal. BMI ranges are
based on what impact body weight has on disease risk
and death.
When interpreting this score, keep in mind that BMI
has some limits, including:
- Your BMI score may overestimate body fat in athletes
and those with a muscular build.
- Your BMI score may underestimate body fat in older
person or persons who have lost muscle mass.
- BMI is not appropriate for pregnant or breastfeeding
women.
Some government agencies and professional health organizations
do not agree on the interpretation of results and the
weight classifications listed above. Always consult
your physician for additional information regarding
your individual health risks and medical history, and
to discuss the limitations of BMI.
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According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
(NHLBI), a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9 is considered
overweight.
A healthy BMI for adults is between 18.5 and 24.9. BMI
ranges are based on what impact body weight has on disease
risk and death.
When interpreting this score, keep in mind that BMI
has some limits, including:
- Your BMI score may overestimate body fat in athletes
and those with a muscular build.
- Your BMI score may underestimate body fat in older
person or persons who have lost muscle mass.
- BMI is not appropriate for pregnant or breastfeeding
women.
Some government agencies and professional health organizations
do not agree on the interpretation of results and the
weight classifications listed above. Always consult
your physician for additional information regarding
your individual health risks and medical history, and
to discuss the limitations of BMI.
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According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
(NHLBI), a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater is
considered obese.
A healthy BMI for adults is between 18.5 and 24.9. BMI
ranges are based on what impact body weight has on disease
risk and death.
When interpreting this score, keep in mind that BMI
has some limits, including:
- Your BMI score may overestimate body fat in athletes
and those with a muscular build.
- Your BMI score may underestimate body fat in older
person or persons who have lost muscle mass.
- BMI is not appropriate for pregnant or breastfeeding
women.
Some government agencies and professional health organizations
do not agree on the interpretation of results and the
weight classifications listed above. Always consult
your physician for additional information regarding
your individual health risks and medical history, and
to discuss the limitations of BMI. |
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Waist
Circumference
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
(NHLBI), guidelines, assessment of overweight involves three
key measures:
- body mass index (BMI)
- waist circumference
- risk factors for obesity-related diseases and conditions,
including:
- high blood pressure
- high blood cholesterol or other lipid disorders
- stroke
- heart disease
- certain cancers
- premature death
Abdominal fat is another predictor of your risk for
heart and other diseases. To measure your waist circumference,
place a measuring tape snugly around your waist. A waist
circumference measurement of over 40 inches in men and
over 35 inches in women increases your risk. Always consult
your physician for more information regarding reducing
your risk for disease.
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