What is Body Mass Index?

Determining how much you should weigh is not a simple matter of looking at an insurance height-weight chart, but includes considering the amount of bone, muscle, and fat in your body's composition. The amount of fat is the critical measurement.

A good indicator of how much fat you carry is the Body Mass Index (BMI). Although it is not a perfect measure, it gives a fairly accurate assessment of how much of your body is composed of fat.

Click here to use a BMI calculator

OR - You can use the following formula, provided by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine your BMI. Results may vary slightly from the calculator due to rounding.

• Calculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) squared and then multiplying by 703.
  • Example: Weight = 150 lbs; Height = 5'5" (65")
  • Calculation: 150 ÷ (65)² x 703 = 24.96

Waist Circumference

According to the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (NHLBI) guidelines, assessment of overweight involves three key measures:

• body mass (BMI)
• waist circumference
• risk factors for obesity - related diseases and conditions, including:
  • high blood pressure
  • high blood cholesterol or other lipid disorders
  • stroke
  • heart disease
  • certain cancers
  • premature death

Abdominal fat is another prediction of your risk for heart and other diseases. To measure your waist circumference, place a measuring tape snugly around your waist. A waist circumference measurement of over 40 inches in men and over 35 inches in women increases your risk. Always consult your physician for more information regarding your risk for disease.