Obesity Epidemiology Overweight Underweight Body shape Weight gain Weight loss Gestational weight gain Diet nutrition Weight management Overnutrition Childhood obesity Epidemiology. Medical concepts.

Adipose tissue Classification of obesity Genetics of obesity Metabolic syndrome Epidemiology of metabolic syndrome Metabolically healthy obesity Obesity paradox Set point theory.

Body adiposity index Body mass index Body fat percentage Body Shape Index Corpulence index Lean body mass Relative Fat Mass Waist—hip ratio Waist-to-height ratio.

Related conditions. Obesity-associated morbidity. Arteriosclerosis Atherosclerosis Fatty liver disease GERD Gynecomastia Heart disease Hypertension Obesity and cancer Osteoarthritis Prediabetes Sleep apnea Type 2 diabetes.

Management of obesity. Anti-obesity medication Bariatrics Bariatric surgery Dieting List of diets Caloric deficit Exercise outline Liposuction Obesity medicine Weight loss camp Weight loss coaching Yo-yo effect. Social aspects. Comfort food Fast food Criticism Fat acceptance movement Fat fetishism Health at Every Size Hunger Obesity and the environment Obesity and sexuality Sedentary lifestyle Social determinants of obesity Social stigma of obesity Weight cutting Weight class.

Main articles: Waist-to-height ratio and Waist-to-hip ratio. National Institutes of Health 's NHLBI.

Archived from the original on Retrieved The Surveillance of Risk Factors Report Series SuRF. World Health Organization. Archived PDF from the original on August doi : PMC PMID Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation.

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Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Peter Yan Cardiology Clinic. Retrieved 8 July NIHR Evidence Plain English summary. National Institute for Health and Care Research.

Research finds prevention should start at a different BMI for each ethnic group". July The Lancet. New definition adopted".

June 17, Archived from the original on November 22, Nutrition Today. Archived from the original PDF on December 10, CDC DHHS. Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults: The Evidence Report. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

September BMC Anesthesiology. Sports Nutrition. Human Kinetics: An Introduction to Energy Production and Performance. Human Nutrition — a health perspective. CRC Press. October Environment International. ABC News. March Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. Clinical Chemistry.

June International Journal of Obesity. April The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. European Journal of Epidemiology. National Institutes of Health. July 8, Archived from the original on 16 December Journal of the Royal Statistical Society. JSTOR Fearing the black body : the racial origins of fat phobia.

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Medical News Today. New Developments in Obesity Research. Hauppauge, New York: Nova Science Publishers. Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford. Retrieved 5 February Connecticut Medicine. US National Institutes of Health.

Retrieved 29 July UK HNS Choices. Archived from the original on 6 August Harvard School of Public Health. Archived from the original on 21 August Archived from the original on 17 April Retrieved 7 April PLOS ONE.

Bibcode : PLoSO.. Liver Transplantation. Ferrera LA, ed. Focus on Body Mass Index And Health Research. New York: Nova Science. Samaras TT, ed. Human Body Size and the Laws of Scaling: Physiological, Performance, Growth, Longevity and Ecological Ramifications.

Sothern MS, Gordon ST, von Almen TK, eds. Handbook of Pediatric Obesity: Clinical Management Illustrated ed. Look up body mass index in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Authority control databases : National Germany Israel United States Latvia Poland.

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Toggle limited content width. Part of a series on. General concepts Obesity Epidemiology Overweight Underweight Body shape Weight gain Weight loss Gestational weight gain Diet nutrition Weight management Overnutrition Childhood obesity Epidemiology.

Medical concepts Adipose tissue Classification of obesity Genetics of obesity Metabolic syndrome Epidemiology of metabolic syndrome Metabolically healthy obesity Obesity paradox Set point theory.

Measurements Body adiposity index Body mass index Body fat percentage Body Shape Index Corpulence index Lean body mass Relative Fat Mass Waist—hip ratio Waist-to-height ratio. Obesity-associated morbidity Arteriosclerosis Atherosclerosis Fatty liver disease GERD Gynecomastia Heart disease Hypertension Obesity and cancer Osteoarthritis Prediabetes Sleep apnea Type 2 diabetes.

Management of obesity Anti-obesity medication Bariatrics Bariatric surgery Dieting List of diets Caloric deficit Exercise outline Liposuction Obesity medicine Weight loss camp Weight loss coaching Yo-yo effect.

Social aspects Comfort food Fast food Criticism Fat acceptance movement Fat fetishism Health at Every Size Hunger Obesity and the environment Obesity and sexuality Sedentary lifestyle Social determinants of obesity Social stigma of obesity Weight cutting Weight class.

High risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes mellitus. These categories are the same no matter what gender and ethnicity you are and if you are muscular. Some guidelines just look at waist circumference to measure tummy fat. Using this system, people are classed as having a higher risk of health problems if they have a waist circumference of:.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.

For details see our conditions. BMI body mass index is a measure for adults to check what category their height and weight puts them in - underweight, healthy, or overweight. The calculator will give you an idea of how your weight compares to common values.

Height: ft ins. Weight: st lbs. Height: metres Centimetres. Weight: Kilograms. Calculate Reset. You are in the range. How to calculate your BMI Your BMI is calculated by dividing your weight by your height squared.

So, your BMI is 23, which falls within the healthy weight range. Figures are rounded up. What your BMI score means Underweight Being underweight might mean you're not getting all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that your body needs to be healthy.

Healthy weight Having a BMI score within the healthy weight range is a good sign that you are the right weight for your height. So, keep an eye on your general health, diet, and exercise and track any changes in your weight. Overweight If your BMI is in the overweight range you may be more at risk of developing health conditions such as type 2 diabetes , heart disease , gallstones and cancer.

Obesity - Class If your BMI score is between 30 to 35 then there is a high chance you have class 1 obesity, with a range between 35 and 40 being class 2. Severe obesity - Class 3 A BMI of 40 or above means you're in the range of severe class 3 obesity - which can have a high chance of affecting your health.

Is BMI accurate? Groups of people where a BMI result is less helpful include: Muscular people. Black and Asian ethnic groups. Pregnant women. People over Muscular people Because muscle weighs more than fat, muscular people - such as weight trainers and athletes - may be a healthy weight even though their BMI is classed as obese.

Black or Asian ethnic groups Black, Asian and some other minority ethnic groups have a higher risk of developing some long-term conditions such as type 2 diabetes despite having a lower BMI.

The BMI ranges for Black and Asian people are: Underweight - below Normal range - Overweight - 23 to Obesity - 25 to Severe obesity - above Pregnant women If you are pregnant, you will gain weight as your baby grows and from the fluid that cushions your baby in your womb.

Children Because children are still growing, and boys and girls develop at different times, their BMI is measured differently. The BMI calculator works out if a child is: Underweight - on the 2nd centile or below.

A healthy weight - between the 2nd and 91st centiles. Overweight - 91st centile or above. Very overweight - 98th centile or above. People over 60 As you get older, you tend to have more fat and less muscle. Alternatives to BMI Waist-to-height ratio Your waist to height ratio can tell you if you have too much fat around your stomach, even if your BMI is healthy.

To measure your waist: Find the halfway point between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips - just above your belly button.

Wrap a tape measure around this halfway point. Breathe out and then take the measurement. What your score means: 0.

In: Hu F, ed. Obesity Epidemiology. New York City: Oxford University Press, ; 53— Skip to content Obesity Prevention Source. Obesity Prevention Source Menu. Search for:. Home Obesity Definition Why Use BMI? Waist Size Matters Measuring Obesity Obesity Trends Child Obesity Adult Obesity Obesity Consequences Health Risks Economic Costs Obesity Causes Genes Are Not Destiny Prenatal and Early Life Influences Food and Diet Physical Activity Sleep Toxic Food Environment Environmental Barriers to Activity Globalization Obesity Prevention Strategies Families Early Child Care Schools Health Care Worksites Healthy Food Environment Healthy Activity Environment Healthy Weight Checklist Resources and Links About Us Contact Us.

The most basic method, and the most common, is the body mass index BMI. Doctors can easily calculate BMI from the heights and weights they gather at each checkup; BMI tables and online calculators also make it easy for individuals to determine their own BMIs.

Strengths Easy to measure Inexpensive Standardized cutoff points for overweight and obesity: Normal weight is a BMI between Additionally, height and level of sexual maturation can influence BMI and body fat among children.

BMI is a better indicator of excess body fat for obese children than it is for overweight children, whose BMI could be a result of increased levels of either fat or fat-free mass all body components except for fat, which includes water, organs, muscle, etc.

In thin children, the difference in BMI can also be due to fat-free mass. Below are the equations used for calculating BMI in the International System of Units SI and the US customary system USC using a 5'10", pound individual as an example:. BMI prime is the ratio of a person's measured BMI to the upper limit of BMI that is considered "normal," by institutions such as the WHO and the CDC.

Since BMI prime is a ratio of two BMI values, BMI prime is a dimensionless value. A person who has a BMI prime less than 0. The table below shows a person's weight classification based on their BMI prime:. BMI prime allows us to make a quick assessment of how much a person's BMI differs from the upper limit of BMI that is considered normal.

It also allows for comparisons between groups of people who have different upper BMI limits. The Ponderal Index PI is similar to BMI in that it measures the leanness or corpulence of a person based on their height and weight. The main difference between the PI and BMI is the cubing rather than squaring of the height in the formula provided below.

While BMI can be a useful tool when considering large populations, it is not reliable for determining leanness or corpulence in individuals. Although the PI suffers from similar considerations, the PI is more reliable for use with very tall or short individuals, while BMI tends to record uncharacteristically high or low body fat levels for those on the extreme ends of the height and weight spectrum.

Below is the equation for computing the PI of an individual using USC, again using a 5'10", pound individual as an example:. US units metric units other units. Age ages: 2 - Gender Male Female Height feet inches Weight pounds Height cm Weight kg.

If your BMI is in the overweight range you may be more at risk of developing health conditions such as type 2 diabetes , heart disease , gallstones and cancer. For help losing weight, read our weight loss information leaflet. If your BMI score is between 30 to 35 then there is a high chance you have class 1 obesity, with a range between 35 and 40 being class 2.

Your chances of developing health issues associated with being overweight can increase if you are obese. If you're BMI is in the obese range, you should see your GP and talk about a plan to lower your BMI in a healthy way. A BMI of 40 or above means you're in the range of severe class 3 obesity - which can have a high chance of affecting your health.

The National Cancer Institute found that severe obesity can reduce life expectancy by 6 to 13 years. You should speak to your doctor about how to lose weight and bring down your BMI to a healthy level. Your BMI result is a useful starting point for talking with a GP about your weight and general health.

But a healthcare professional will consider many other factors when assessing if you are a healthy weight. Because muscle weighs more than fat, muscular people - such as weight trainers and athletes - may be a healthy weight even though their BMI is classed as obese.

Black, Asian and some other minority ethnic groups have a higher risk of developing some long-term conditions such as type 2 diabetes despite having a lower BMI.

If you are pregnant, you will gain weight as your baby grows and from the fluid that cushions your baby in your womb. It is hard to know what your true weight is, so, if you are worried you should speak to your midwife or GP.

Because children are still growing, and boys and girls develop at different times, their BMI is measured differently. For children and young people - between 2 to 18 years old - the children's BMI calculator considers age and gender as well as height and weight.

A child's BMI is given as a 'centile' number which shows how their BMI compares with other children of the same age and gender. So, a boy on the 60th centile is heavier than 60 out of other boys of their age. The BMI calculator works out if a child is:. If you're worried about your child's weight you should speak to your doctor - especially if they fall outside the healthy centile range.

As you get older, you tend to have more fat and less muscle. So, BMI may not be reliable if you're over Your waist to height ratio can tell you if you have too much fat around your stomach, even if your BMI is healthy. To calculate your waist to height ratio, measure your waist and divide it by your height.

Use measurements in the same units - so centimetres cms or inches. You should try to keep your waist to half your height - which is a waist-to-height ratio below 0.

These categories are the same no matter what gender and ethnicity you are and if you are muscular. Some guidelines just look at waist circumference to measure tummy fat.

Using this system, people are classed as having a higher risk of health problems if they have a waist circumference of:.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy.

Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.

In Korea, they added, there is evidence to suggest that almost twice as many people have features of metabolic obesity but a moderate weight compared with the United States. The results of one study found that Asian American people within the healthy weight range were more likely to have symptoms of metabolic syndrome than their non-Hispanic white counterparts.

The following table by the WHO shows some comparisons and cutoff points that may apply. Doctors may use these variations when advising or treating conditions in specific people. To discover more evidence-based information and resources for weight management, visit our dedicated hub.

Anyone who is concerned about their weight should speak with a doctor, who may also consider their body fat distribution and the ratio of their waist size to their height. The doctor will also be able to offer advice to suit every individual.

Nutrition is the study of food and how it affects the body. Here, learn about the components of nutrition, who the experts are, and what each nutrient…. There are several ways to measure body weight and composition.

Learn how to tell if you have overweight with these tests, including BMI. Phentermine, a weight loss drug, is not safe to take during pregnancy. People pregnant, or trying to get pregnant, should stop using the drug….

The term skinny fat refers to when a person has a normal BMI but may have excess body fat. This can increase the risk of conditions such as diabetes…. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health?

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. BMI calculators and charts. Medically reviewed by Grant Tinsley, Ph. BMI calculators. BMI charts. BMI categories. Below BMI of under BMI of BMI of 25— BMI of over 30 A BMI of over 30 indicates that a person has obesity.

Losing Weight. Together Tuesdays. Home Healthy Living Healthy Eating Losing Weight Body Mass Index in Adults. By losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight, you are also likely to enjoy these quality-of-life factors: Fewer joint and muscle pains More energy and greater ability to join in activities they enjoy Better control of bodily fluids and blood pressure Reduced burden on your heart and circulatory system Better sleep patterns Reductions in blood triglycerides, blood glucose and your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes Reduced risk for heart disease and certain cancers What is BMI?

BMI is a numerical value of your weight in relation to your height. A BMI between A BMI of less than To check your BMI, type your height and weight into the BMI calculator for adults from the National Institute of Health. To calculate your BMI manually, multiply your weight in pounds by , divide by your height in inches, then divide again by your height in inches.

Waist circumference is the distance around your natural waist at the iliac crest, or hip bone. Some well-trained people with dense muscle mass may have a high BMI score but very little body fat.

For them, the waist circumference, the skinfold thickness or more direct methods of measuring body fat may be more useful measurements than BMI. Height Minimal risk BMI under 25 Moderate risk BMI 25— or less — lbs. or more 4'11" or less — or more 5'0 or less — or more 5'1" or less — or more 5'2' or less — or more 5'3" or less — or more 5'4" or less — or more 5'5" or less — or more 5'6" or less — or more 5'7" or less — or more 5'8" or less — or more 5'9" or less — or more 5'10" or less — or more 5'11" or less — or more 6'0" or less — or more 6'1" or less — or more 6'2" or less — or more 6'3" or less — or more 6'4" or less — or more Adapted from Obesity Education Initiative: Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Obesity Research , 6 Suppl SS.

Last Reviewed: Jan 16, Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. home Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity. To receive email updates about this topic, enter your email address. Email Address. What's this? Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. Related Topics. Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Prevent Heart Disease Healthy Schools — Promoting Healthy Behaviors Obesity Among People with Disabilities.

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