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Is your weight affecting your
health?
Find out if your Body Mass Index puts you at risk.
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 |
* 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
Above information compliments of: Calorie
Control Council |
