| Body Mass Index
(BMI) is a way of comparing height to weight and it can provide a ballpark
fi gure without
all the hassles. Simply enter your height and weight in our calculator,
and we’ll tell you your BMI. A BMI of 18.5 to 25.0 is considered
within normal ranges. However, the BMI doesn’t necessarily work with
all body types; athletes with lots of muscle could be perfectly healthy
but not measure out well using this tool. The BMI calculation will not be accurate for: 1. People below the age of 19 or over the age of 70 2. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding 3. Competitive athletes 4. Body builders 5. People who are chronically ill Generally, the higher your BMI, the higher your health risk, and the risk increases even further if your waist size is greater than 40 inches for men or 35 inches for women. Use the calculator to determine your BMI. Then measure your waist size. Now, with your BMI and waist size determined, use the table below to determine your health risk relative to normal weight. |
Risk of Associated Disease According to BMI and Waist Size
|
BMI
|
|
Waist
less than or equal to 40 in. (men) or 35 in. (women)
|
Waist
greater than 40 in. (men) or 35 in. (women)
|
| 18.5 or less | Underweight | N/A | |
| 18.5 - 24.9 | Normal | N/A | |
| 25.0 - 29.9 | Overweight | Increased | High |
| 30.0 - 34.9 | Obese | High | Very High |
| 35.0 - 39.9 | Obese | Very High | Very High |
| 40 or greater | Extremely Obese | Extremely High | Extremely High |