Body Mass Index (BMI) is a mathematical formula that correlates highly with body fat. This height-weight calculation helps to determine whether you are at a healthy weight or have too much body fat.
| Formula for BMI = | Height(m)2 |
Studies have shown that a BMI of 27 or higher is associated with an increased health risk of conditions that include coronary heart disease, certain forms of cancer, stroke, high blood pressure and non insulin-dependent diabetes.
| <18 | Underweight |
| 19-26 | Healthy Weight (low risk) |
| 27-29 | Overweight (medium risk) |
| 30-40 | Obese (high risk) |
| >40 | Morbidly obese (very high risk) |
Important Note
While BMI is a better indicator of body fatness and associated health risks than height-weight tables, BMI does not distinguish body fat from muscle. Nor does it take into account the distribution of body fat. Like height-weight charts, more heavily muscled people may be classified as overweight (BMI range 25-30) yet they may not necessarily be overweight.
