Do you know your BMI (Body Mass Index)? Do you know what your number means?
BMI is meant to screen for, not diagnose, overweight or obesity. It’s a tool to evaluate your weight in relation to your height. A higher-than-healthy number (above 25) suggests a higher risk for weight-related health problems such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, some cancers, arthritis, and breathing problems.
Although BMI is a good health indicator, it’s not the last word. With less muscle but more body fat, a person’s BMI still may it the healthy range (18.5 to 25); conversely healthy, muscular people might have a BMI above 25. What counts is your overall health. Diagnosing a weight problem and determining your healthy weight is best determined with your physician.
Learn more about your “number.”
- Check your BMI online. Go to Partnership for Healthy Weight Management (www.consumer.gov/weightloss/bmi.htm) or National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm).
- Find out more about what your BMI means. Contact a registered dietitian, or ask your health care provider to help you.
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