BMI is used for risk assessment for the general population. Generally speaking, as a person's BMI increases, so does his or her risk of certain diseases. However, BMI does not distinguish between body fat and lean body mass and does not take into account location of body fat. For this reason, it's not an accurate measure of health for certain populations, such as people with higher than average muscle mass or people whose body composition may be skewed for other reasons.
Note: BMI is not an appropriate measure for athletes, children, pregnant women, or the elderly.
It is difficult to improve what we cannot measure; and BMI an additional number that we can use to measure our progress.
- high blood pressure
- heart disease
- high cholesterol and blood lipids (LDL)
- Type 2 Diabetes
- sleep apnea
- osteoarthritis
- female infertility
- gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
- urinary stress incontinence
The following is a chart of BMI ranges: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/bmi_tbl.pdf
The following is a BMI calculator: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bmi-calculator/NU00597
Continue Learning about Body Mass Index (BMI)
Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.