What is BMI?

A body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat derived from the ratio of the weight to the height of a person’s body. As the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reminds us, “BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI correlates to direct measures of body fat.”

Health consequences of obesity

Your BMI is a good indicator of your body weight. A BMI under 18.5 is considered underweight. If your BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, you are considered to have a normal weight. Between 25 and 29.9 is classified as overweight, and anything over 30 is considered obese.

It is important to recognize the risks associated with a high BMI.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list the following risks for overweight and obese adults:

Hypertension
Dyslipidemia (for example, high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high levels of triglycerides)
Type 2 diabetes
Coronary heart disease
Stroke
Gallbladder disease
Osteoarthritis
Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)

For more information on these and other risks for overweight and obese adults, visit the CDC website.

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