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What is BMI?
BMI is a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height
in meters. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that
BMI is moderately correlated with more direct measures of body fat obtained
from skinfold thickness measurements, bioelectrical impedance, densitometry
(underwater weighing), dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and other methods. Furthermore, BMI appears to be as strongly correlated with various
metabolic and disease outcome as are these more direct measures of body fatness. In general, BMI is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of
screening for weight category, for example underweight, normal or healthy
weight, overweight, and obesity.
How is BMI used?
A high BMI can be an indicator of high body fatness. BMI can be used
as a screening tool but is not diagnostic of the body fatness or health of an
individual.
To determine if a high BMI is a health risk, a healthcare provider
would need to perform further assessments. These assessments might include
skinfold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical activity, family
history, and other appropriate health screenings10.
What are the BMI trends for
adults in the United States?
The prevalence of adult BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (obese status) has
greatly increased since the 1970s. Recently, however, this trend has leveled
off, expect for older women. Obesity has continued to increase in adult women
who are age 60 years and older.
Why is BMI used to measure
overweight and obesity?
BMI can be used for population assessment of overweight and obesity.
Because calculation requires only height and weight, it is inexpensive and easy
to use for clinicians and for the general public. BMI can be used as a
screening tool for body fatness but is not diagnostic.
How good is BMI as an
indicator of body fatness?
The correlation between the BMI and body fatness is fairly strong, but even if 2 people
have the same BMI, their level of body fatness may differ.
In general,
•
At the same BMI, women tend to have more body fat than men.
•
At the same BMI, Blacks have less body fat than do White, and Asians have more
body fat than do Whites15
•
At the same BMI, older people, on average, tend to have more body fat
than younger adults.
•
At the same BMI, athletes have less body fat than do non-athletes.
The accuracy of BMI as an indicator of body fatness also appears to be
higher in persons with higher levels of BMI and body fatness. While a person with
a very high BMI (e.g., 35 kg/m2) is very likely to have high body fat, a
relatively high BMI can be the results of either high body fat or high lean
body mass (muscle and bone). A trained healthcare provider should perform
appropriate health assessments in order to evaluate an individual's health
status and risks.
What are the health
consequences of obesity for adults?
People who are obese are at increased risk for many diseases and
health conditions, including the following:
•
All-causes of death (mortality)
•
High blood pressure (Hypertension)
•
High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high levels of
triglycerides (Dyslipidemia)
•
Type 2 diabetes
•
Coronary heart disease
•
Stroke
•
Gallbladder disease
•
Osteoarthritis (a breakdown of cartilage and bone within a joint)
•
Sleep apnea and breathing problems
•
Chronic inflammation and increased oxidative stress
•
Some cancers (endometrial, breast, colon, kidney, gallbladder, and
liver)
•
Low quality of life
•
Mental illness such as clinical depression, anxiety, and other mental
disorders
•
Body pain and difficulty with physical functioning
For more information about these and other health problems associated
with obesity, visit Health
Effects
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