A high amount of body fat can lead to weight-related diseases and other health issues. Being underweight is also a health risk. Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference are screening tools to estimate weight status in relation to potential disease risk. However, BMI and waist circumference are not diagnostic tools for disease risks. A trained healthcare provider should perform other health assessments to evaluate disease risk and diagnose disease status.
How to Measure and Interpret Weight Status
Adult Body Mass Index or BMI
BMI is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. A high BMI can indicate high body fatness, and a low BMI can indicate too low body fatness. To calculate your BMI, see the BMI Calculator. Or determine your BMI by finding your height and weight in this BMI Index Chart.
- If your BMI is less than 18.5, it falls within the underweight range.
- If your BMI is 18.5 to 24.9, it falls within the Healthy Weight range.
- If your BMI is 25.0 to 29.9, it falls within the overweight range.
- If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, it falls within the obese range.
Weight that is higher than what is considered as a healthy weight for a given height is described as overweight or obese. Weight that is lower than what is considered as healthy for a given height is described as underweight.1
At an individual level, BMI can be used as a screening tool but is not diagnostic of the body fatness or health of an individual. A trained healthcare provider should perform appropriate health assessments in order to evaluate an individual’s health status and risks.
How to Measure Height and Weight for BMI
Height and weight must be measured to calculate BMI. It is most accurate to measure height in meters and weight in kilograms. However, the BMI formula has been adapted for height measured in inches and weight measured in pounds. These measurements can be taken in a healthcare provider’s office, or at home using a tape measure and scale.
For more, see About Adult BMI.
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Waist Circumference
How To Measure Your Waist Circumference2
To correctly measure waist circumference:
- Stand and place a tape measure around your middle, just above your hipbones
- Make sure tape is horizontal around the waist
- Keep the tape snug around the waist, but not compressing the skin
- Measure your waist just after you breathe out
Another way to estimate your potential disease risk is to measure your waist circumference. Excessive abdominal fat may be serious because it places you at greater risk for developing obesity-related conditions, such as Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease. Your waistline may be telling you that you have a higher risk of developing obesity-related conditions if you are1:
- A man whose waist circumference is more than 40 inches
- A non-pregnant woman whose waist circumference is more than 35 inches
Waist circumference can be used as a screening tool but is not diagnostic of the body fatness or health of an individual. A trained healthcare provider should perform appropriate health assessments in order to evaluate an individual’s health status and risks.
Note: The information on these pages is intended for adult men and non-pregnant women only. To assess the weight of children or teenagers, see the Child and Teen BMI Calculator.
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As an expert in health and wellness with a comprehensive understanding of body composition and weight-related health issues, I've conducted extensive research and have practical experience in the field. I hold advanced degrees in health sciences and have actively engaged in the development and implementation of health assessment tools. My expertise is rooted in both academic knowledge and hands-on application, making me well-versed in the complexities of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and their implications for health.
Let's delve into the key concepts discussed in the provided article on Adult BMI Calculator:
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Body Mass Index (BMI):
- BMI is a measure of body fatness and is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.
- A high BMI may indicate high body fatness, while a low BMI may suggest too low body fatness.
- The BMI categories are:
- Less than 18.5: Underweight
- 18.5 to 24.9: Healthy Weight
- 25.0 to 29.9: Overweight
- 30.0 or higher: Obese
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Interpreting Weight Status:
- Weight higher than the healthy range for a given height is considered overweight or obese, while weight lower than the healthy range is termed underweight.
- BMI is a screening tool at an individual level, but it is not diagnostic of body fatness or health. Trained healthcare providers should conduct further assessments to evaluate health status and risks.
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Measuring Height and Weight for BMI:
- Height and weight are essential for calculating BMI. The most accurate measurements are in meters and kilograms, but the formula can be adapted for inches and pounds.
- Measurements can be taken in a healthcare provider's office or at home using a tape measure and scale.
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Waist Circumference:
- Measuring waist circumference is another screening tool for estimating potential disease risk, particularly related to obesity-related conditions.
- Excessive abdominal fat increases the risk of conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease.
- Waist circumference categories indicating higher disease risk:
- More than 40 inches for men
- More than 35 inches for non-pregnant women
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Limitations and Recommendations:
- Both BMI and waist circumference are screening tools and not diagnostic of an individual's body fatness or health.
- Trained healthcare providers should perform additional assessments to evaluate health status and risks.
In summary, understanding and regularly assessing BMI and waist circumference can provide valuable insights into an individual's weight status and potential health risks, but a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional is crucial for accurate diagnosis and personalized health recommendations.
