The Body Mass Index has been shown to be a more accurate way to tell if your health is at risk. Try figuring out your Body Mass Index below. If you need help with diet advice, talk to your doctor or nutritionist.
Abdominal fat can be assessed easily by the "waist-to-hip" ratio ¾ the measure of the waist at the smallest point divided by the measure of the hips at the widest point. A waist-to-hip ratio greater than 0.95 for men and 0.8 for women indicates an increased risk of disease.
"From a clinical standpoint, objective measures of obesity can be helpful for assessing obesity in patients and can help to 'red flag' existing or potential health risks," says Dr. Deitch. "But for many patients, the concept of an "ideal" weight will seem unattainable and may ultimately frustrate their best weight loss efforts. They may do better by focusing on the benefits of achieving a healthier weight and maintaining it long term."
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Enter your height in inches
A newer measure of obesity that is gaining greater acceptance by researchers and clinicians is the body mass index (BMI). BMI is defined as body weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters ([weight in kg] ÷ [height in meters]2). BMI does not actually measure body fat, but generally correlates well with the degree of obesity. The World Health Organization has used BMI to develop categories of obesity:
BMI 25 to 29.9 = grade 1 obesity (moderate overweight) BMI 30 to 39.9 = grade 2 obesity (severe overweight) BMI > 40 = grade 3 obesity (massive/morbid obesity) Studies have shown that BMI also correlates well with the risk of obesity's adverse effects on health and longevity. A BMI of 27 or higher is clearly associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and so this is generally considered the point at which intervention and some form of treatment for obesity is required. A BMI between 25 and 27 is considered a warning sign and may warrant intervention, especially in the presence of additional risk factors.