If your BMI is
less than 18.5, it falls within the "underweight" range.
If your BMI is 18.5 to 24.9, it falls within the "normal" or Healthy
Weight range.
If your BMI is 25.0 to 29.9, it falls within the "overweight" range.
If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, it falls within the "obese" range.
Obese and overweight describe ranges of weight that are greater than
what is considered healthy for a given height, if your BMI falls
outside of the "normal" or Healthy Weight range, you may want to
talk to your doctor or health care provider about how you might
achieve a healthier body weight. Obesity and overweight have been
shown to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and other
health problems, especially if certain other risk factors are
present, such as high blood pressure or physical inactivity.
If your figures are over 24.9 that means you are overweight, and
even though you are not as seriously at risk of developing a serious
disease,
now is definitely the time to consider getting that BMI back within
the normal range.
Once you enter the 30.0 and above your risk of developing a chronic
disease such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes greatly
increases..
If you are in the 30.0 and above group for a while, you should
obtain a complete health assessment by a physician to decide which
might be the best way for you to lose the weight and improve your
BMI.
Even a small weight loss -just 10% of your current weight - may help
to lower the risk of disease.
Excess weight, as
measured by BMI, is not the only risk to your health. So is the
location of fat on your body. If you carry fat mainly around your
waist, you are more likely to develop health problems than if you
carry fat mainly in your hips and thighs. This is true even if your
BMI falls within the normal range. Women with a waist measurement of
more than 35 inches or men with a waist measurement of more than 40
inches may have a higher disease risk than people with smaller waist
measurements because of where their fat lies.
BMI is only one piece of your health profile. It is
important to talk with your doctor about other risk factors such as
smoking, physical activity level, and diet.
