Combining two key measures can help you see your potential risk for developing obesity-associated diseases.
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Waist circumference
Body mass index (BMI)
Body Mass Index (BMI) is your weight divided by your height. It is a useful measure to see if you are overweight or obese.
A high BMI can be an indicator of high body fat and a low BMI can indicate low body fat. BMI should only be used as a screening tool as it has limitations. It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build and may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle.
How to calculate your BMI.
Use an online BMI Calculator or BMI Table and insert your weight and height.
The standard weight categories associated with BMI for adult men and women are shown in the following table.
| BMI | Weight Status |
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Normal or Healthy Weight |
| 25.0 – 29.9 | Overweight |
| 30.0 and above | Obese |
Waist circumference
In the United States the following measurements are considered to have an increased risk:
- A man whose waist circumference is greater than 102 cm (40 inches)
- A non-pregnant woman whose waist circumference is greater than 88 cm (35 inches)
Outside of the United States lower measurements are used
- A man whose waist circumference is greater than 97 cm (37 inches)
- A non-pregnant woman whose waist circumference is greater than 80 cm (31.5 inches)
How to measure your waist.
Stand and place a tape measure around your middle, just above your hipbones. Measure your waist just after you breathe out.
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 also can be a marker for increased risk, even in persons of normal weight.
Note that BMI and waist circumference can be used as a screening tool but are not diagnostic of the body fatness or health of an individual. Diagnosis needs appropriate health assessments by your health care provider to evaluate your health status and risks.
References
https://www.cdc.gov/ healthyweight/assessing/ bmi/index.html
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/ health/educational/ lose_wt/bmitools.htm
https://www.ajmc.com/view/review-of-current-guidelines-for-the-treatment-of-obesity
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/measuring-your-waist
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