BMI and Weight

Body mass index, or BMI, and weight are related; weight is one of the two measurements used to determine BMI (the other is height). BMI and weight are not the only factors a healthcare provider will consider when assessing a person's risk for obesity-related health problems. In addition to BMI and weight, the healthcare provider will consider the person's waist circumference and risk factors (such as high blood pressure) when making a weight assessment.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

BMI and Weight: An Overview

Research on obesity has shown that one way to measure a person's weight status is to use a calculation known as body mass index, or BMI for short. If someone has a high BMI, does that mean that they are definitely overweight or obese? Furthermore, does that mean that they are at increased risk for health problems? The answers to both of these questions depend on other factors.

Keep in mind that BMI is a screening tool; it is not used to diagnose any medical conditions but instead, is used as one measure to assess a person's weight and their risk for developing certain medical conditions.

What Is the Risk?

Over 130 million adult Americans are overweight or obese. People who are overweight or obese have a greater chance of developing many medical conditions, including:

High blood pressure (hypertension)
High cholesterol or other lipid disorders
Type 2 diabetes
Heart disease
Stroke
Certain cancers
Sleep apnea
Osteoarthritis
Gallbladder disease
Fatty liver disease.

Even a small weight loss (just 10 percent of your current weight) will help to lower your risk of developing those diseases.

(BMI and Weight Continued: Page 2)