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The BMI is a measure of your weight relative to your height and waist circumference measures abdominal fat. Combining these with information about your additional risk factors yields your risk for developing obesity-associated diseases.
According to the NHLBI guidelines, assessment of overweight involves using three key measures:
- body mass index (BMI).
- BMI is a reliable indicator of total body fat, which is related to the risk of disease and death. The score is valid for both men and women but it does have some limits. The limits are:
- It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build.
- It may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle mass.
- Use the BMI calculator or tables to estimate your total body fat. The BMI score means the following:
- BMI Underweight Below 18.5 Normal 18.5 - 24.9 Overweight 25.0 - 29.9 Obesity 30.0 and Above 2.
- Waist Circumference
- Determine your waist circumference by placing a measuring tape snugly around your waist. It is a good indicator of your abdominal fat which is another predictor of your risk for developing risk factors for heart disease and other diseases. This risk increases with a waist measurement of over 40 inches in men and over 35 inches in women
- The table, Risks of Obesity-Associated Diseases by BMI and Waist Circumference, provides you with an idea of whether your BMI combined with your waist circumference increases your risk for developing obesity associated diseases or conditions.
- Risk factors for diseases and conditions associated with obesity.
Classification of Obesity by BMI, Waist Circumference, and Associated Disease Risks:
| Disease Risk* Relative to Normal Weight and Waist Circumference | | | BMI (kg/m2)
| Men 102 cm (40 in) or less Women 88 cm (35 in) or less
| Men > 102 cm (40 in) Women > 88 cm (35 in) | Underweight
| < 18.5 | - | - | | Normal | 18.5 - 24.9 | - | - | Overweight
| 25.0 - 29.9
| Increased
| High
| Obesity
| 30.0 - 34.9
| High
| Very High | | | 35.0 - 39.9
| Very High
| Very High
| | Extreme Obesity | 40.0 +
| Extremely High
| Extremely High
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