Body mass index, or BMI, is a
way to help you figure out if you are at a healthy weight for your
height. BMI is a number based on your weight and height. In general, the
higher the number, the more body fat a person has.
Normal weight ranges: Body mass index (BMI)
Body mass index, or BMI, is a way to
help you figure out if you are at a healthy weight for your height. BMI is a
number based on your weight and height. In general, the higher the number, the
more body fat a person has. BMI is often used as a screening tool to decide if
your weight might be putting you at risk for health problems such as heart
disease, diabetes, and cancer.
BMI is used to broadly define
different weight groups in adults 20 years old or older. The same groups apply
to both men and women.
- Underweight: BMI is less than 18.5
- Normal weight: BMI is 18.5 to 24.9
- Overweight: BMI is 25 to 29.9
- Obese: BMI is 30 or more
|
Category
|
BMI range – kg/m2
|
BMI Prime
|
|
Very severely underweight
|
less than 15
|
less than 0.60
|
|
Severely underweight
|
from 15.0 to 16.0
|
from 0.60 to 0.64
|
|
Underweight
|
from 16.0 to 18.5
|
from 0.64 to 0.74
|
|
Normal (healthy weight)
|
from 18.5 to 25
|
from 0.74 to 1.0
|
|
Overweight
|
from 25 to 30
|
from 1.0 to 1.2
|
|
Obese Class I (Moderately obese)
|
from 30 to 35
|
from 1.2 to 1.4
|
|
Obese Class II (Severely obese)
|
from 35 to 40
|
from 1.4 to 1.6
|
|
Obese Class III (Very severely obese)
|
over 40
|
over 1.6
|
Overweight BMI
If your BMI is 25 or more, you should think about losing weight. Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of health problems, such as:- heart disease
- stroke
- type 2 diabetes
- some types of cancer
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
- kidney disease
If your BMI is 25 and above,it is time to watch your diet,if over 30,it is time to go on a weight loss programme.
