Throwing Your Weight Around: Adult BMI Calculator

If you’ve noticed that your clothes are feeling a bit more snug, or if you’ve been told by a health care professional that you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, weight gain may be a contributing factor. The first step is to determine whether or not your current weight is healthy. This is generally accomplished by evaluating your Body Mass Index, or BMI.

What’s My BMI?

BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness. It is calculated based on your height and weight. To calculate your BMI, see the BMI Calculator at http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/index.htm. 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. Your health care provider can help you to achieve a healthier total body weight.

If your BMI is 18.5 to 24.9, it falls within the “normal” or Healthy Weight range. Keep up the good work!

If your BMI is 25.0 to 29.9, it falls within the “overweight” range. You may need to lose weight, especially if you have two or more of the risk factors for diseases associated with overweight.

What’s My BMI?

If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, it falls within the “obese” range. Therefore, you should talk to your doctor or health care provider about losing weight.

“Waist”-ing Time

Another way to check your weight is to measure your waist size. Your waistline may be telling you that you have a higher risk of developing obesity-related conditions if you are:

  • A man whose waist circumference is more than 40 inches
  • A non-pregnant woman whose waist circumference is more than 35 inches

Excessive abdominal fat is serious because it places you at greater risk for developing obesity-related conditions, such as Type 2 Diabetes, high blood cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease.

Individuals who have excessive abdominal fat should consult with their physicians or other health care providers to develop a plan for losing weight.

How To Measure Your Waist Size

To measure your waist size (circumference), place a tape measure around your bare abdomen just above your hip bone. Be sure that the tape is snug, but does not compress your skin, and is parallel to the floor. Relax, exhale, and measure your waist.

 
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