Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference are two common measures health care providers use to help determine if a patient is at an unhealthy weight.
BMI is an effective predictor of obesity and health problems that compares your weight to your height. Adults with a BMI of 25 or higher are considered at risk for serious health issues. The chart below serves as a guide for determining your BMI.
Studies have shown that having too much fat around your stomach can also increase your risk of heath issues. To measure your waist circumference, wrap a tape measure around your natural waistline, located just above your hip bones. A healthy waist circumference is:
Remember: BMI should not be the sole tool to assess risk. For example, people with higher muscle
density (such as atheltes) may be perfectly healthy at a higher BMI.
