BMI, Waist Size, and Your Health

A lot of people struggle with their weight.

But did you know that number on the scale is only one piece of the weight puzzle?

Your body mass index ... or BMI ... and your waist size are other important pieces.

BMI compares how much you weigh with how tall you are.

And your waist size ... well, that's how big you are around your belly.

For most people, BMI and waist size are good clues to whether they are at a healthy weight.

Having a high BMI and carrying too much weight around your belly can put you at risk for lots of health problems ...

like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol ...

and even some cancers.

And being overweight can make your hips, knees, and back hurt too.

Bringing your weight ... your BMI ... and your waist size down is a big step toward getting healthier.

If you already know what your BMI and waist size are, great.

If you don't, find out.

You can use an interactive tool online to check your BMI ...

or you can ask your doctor to check it for you.

And a tape measure is all you'll need to find out your waist size.

Once you know these numbers, talk with your doctor about what you can do to bring them down ...

and lower your risk for health problems.