Body Mass Index (BMI)

It is a recognized and generally accepted measure utilized by physicians and health experts to determine weight status (underweight, overweight, and obesity). It measures body fat based on height and weight. An elevated or higher BMI are increased risk for the following diseases:

• Hypertension - high blood pressure
• Cardiovascular Disease - Stroke
• Coronary Heart Disease
• Gallbladder Disease
• Dyslipidemia/Hyperlipidemias - 
• Osteoarthritis
• Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
• Some cancers - endometrial, breast, and colon cancer
• Sleep Apnea
• Epidural Lipomatosis

International Classification of Adult Underweight, Overweight and Obesity according to BMI

Classification	BMI(kg/m2)
	Principal cut-off points	Additional cut-off points
Underweight	<18.50	<18.50
Severe thinness	<16.00	<16.00
Moderate thinness	16.00 - 16.99	16.00 - 16.99
Mild thinness	17.00 - 18.49	17.00 - 18.49
Normal range	18.50 - 24.99	18.50 - 22.99
		23.00 - 24.99
Overweight	≥25.00	≥25.00
Pre-obese	25.00 - 29.99	25.00 - 27.49
		27.50 - 29.99
Obese	≥30.00	≥30.00
Obese class I	30.00 - 34.99	30.00 - 32.49
		32.50 - 34.99
Obese class II	35.00 - 39.99	35.00 - 37.49
		37.50 - 39.99
Obese class III	≥40.00	≥40.00

Source: Adapted from WHO, 1995, WHO, 2000 and WHO 2004.

The BMI is calculated by the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters (kg/m²).

Visit these links to determine your BMI:
BMI3D
Center for Disease Control and Prevention