Body Mass Index (BMI)
Topic Overview
Your
body mass index (BMI) and waist size affect your risk
of
type 2 diabetes,
high blood pressure,
high cholesterol, and
coronary artery disease. The following table shows the
risk.
Body mass index (BMI) and the risk for diseases 1 | Classification | BMI | Waist size and
relative risk |
|---|
Men: less than 40 in. (102 cm)
Women: less than 35 in. (88 cm) | Men: 40 in. (102 cm) or
more Women: 35 in. (88 cm) or more |
| Normal | 18.5–24.9 | — | Increased risk |
| Overweight | 25–29.9 | Increased risk | High risk |
| Obesity I | 30–34.9 | High risk | Very high risk |
| Obesity II | 35–39.9 | Very high risk | Very high risk |
| Obesity III (extreme) | 40 or above | Extremely high risk | Extremely high risk |
For Asian people, each risk category may include lower BMIs
than those listed in the table.
A BMI under 18.5 is considered
unhealthy. There is risk that you are not getting sufficient nutrition
(malnutrition). Complications of malnutrition include anemia, nutrient
deficiency, heart irregularities, loss of menstrual periods in women
(amenorrhea), cavities, and osteoporosis.
References
Citations
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National
Institutes of Health (2000). The Practical Guide: Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults (NIH Publication No. 00-4084). Available online:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/prctgd_c.pdf.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator |
|---|
| Last Revised | May 25, 2011 |
|---|
Last Revised:
May 25, 2011
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National
Institutes of Health (2000). The Practical Guide: Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults (NIH Publication No. 00-4084). Available online:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/prctgd_c.pdf.
