Obesity in America: 

An Epidemic for the Twenty-First Century

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BMI (Body-Mass Index)

 

Measuring Obesity and Health Risk

Currently, several different measures are used to evaluate a patient's weight status and potential health risk. However, a complete evaluation includes assessments of a person's age, height and weight, fat composition and distribution, and the presence or absence of other health problems and risk factors.

Height-weight tables indicating "ideal" weight have been in use since 1959 but have their shortcomings. A newer measure of obesity that is gaining in popularity among researchers and clinicians is the body mass index (BMI). BMI is the body weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters ([weight in kg] ÷ [height in meters]2). BMI does not actually measure body fat, but generally correlates well with the degree of obesity. The categories of obesity developed by the World Health Organization are:

Using a BMI table, a person 5'6" tall weighing 140 pounds would have a BMI of 23, well out of the range of risk. That same 5'6" person weighing 190 pounds would have a BMI of 31, in the range of Grade 2 obesity.

A BMI of 27 or higher is associated with increased morbidity and mortality; this is generally considered the point at which some form of treatment for obesity is required. A BMI between 25 and 27 is considered a warning sign and may warrant intervention, especially in the presence of additional risk factors.

Body Mass Index (BMI) kg/m2

 

Height (ft, in)
Weight (lb) 5'0" 5'3" 5'6" 5'9" 6'0" 6'3"
140 27 25 23 21 19 18
150 29 27 24 22 20 19
160 31 28 26 24 22 20
170 33 30 28 25 23 21
180 35 32 29 27 25 23
190 37 34 31 28 26 24
200 39 36 32 30 27 25
210 41 37 34 31 29 26
220 43 39 36 33 30 28
230 45 41 37 34 31 29
240 47 43 39 36 33 30
250 49 44 40 37 34 31
  No Obesity
  BMI >= 27 kg/m2
(approximately 20% above ideal weight)
  BMI >= 30 kg/m2
(approximately 30% above ideal weight)

BMI is defined as body weight (in kg) divided by height (in m2 ). You can easily calculate your BMI by multiplying your weight in pounds by 700, then dividing the result by your height in inches and dividing that result by your height in inches. 

In recent years, researchers and clinicians have shifted focus from "ideal" body weights as reflected in the height-weight tables, to helping patients achieve and maintain "healthy" or "healthier" body weights. Studies have shown that losing even modest amounts of weight -- just 5 to 10 percent of initial body weight -- and maintaining the loss improves health and well-being and decreases the risk for a variety of obesity-related health complications.

 

Determining Patient’s BMI-Related Health Risk

BMI Category Health Risk With Comorbidities**
< 25 Minimal Low
25 - <27 Low Moderate
27 - <30 Moderate High
30 - <35 High Very High
35 - <40 Very High Extremely High
>40 Extremely High Extremely High

**Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, Type II diabetes, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, infertility, other conditions.

 

 

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