Body Mass Index
Body mass index (BMI) is a measurement based on height and weight as it relates
to body fat, and can be used to determine how much risk a person has of
developing certain health problems because of his or her weight.
Disclaimer:
BMI compares a person's height to their weight and can provide a general idea of a
person's risk for disease. Under new government guidelines, people with BMIs of 25 to 29.9
are considered overweight, while those with BMIs of 30 and above are considered obese.
There is strong evidence that weight loss in overweight people reduces the risk of
cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Please note BMI is not accurate for athletes, those with a low body fat and high ratio
of lean body mass (muscle); those < 19 or > 70 years old; women who are pregnant or
breastfeeding; or those who are chronically ill.
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Last Modified: January 7, 2004
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