Scientists and health professionals use BMI to figure healthy weights.

BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It is a number that shows body weight adjusted for height. BMI can be calculated with simple math using inches and pounds, or meters and kilograms. For adults aged 20 years or older, BMI falls into one of these categories: underweight, normal, overweight, or obese.

Results of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2000 indicate that an estimated 64 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese.

Calculating the BMI is one of the best methods for employee assessment of overweight and obesity.

The use of BMI allows people to compare their own weight status to the general population.

It is FREE* for our clients when participating in a Heart Screen health fair.

The only information required to calculate a person's BMI are height, weight, (we supply the scale and stadiometer) and the BMI formula (we provide  reproducible information and charts, and computerized calculations.)

BMI correlates with body fat. The relation between fatness and BMI differs with age and gender. For example, women are more likely to have a higher percent of body fat than men for the same BMI. On average, older people may have more body fat than younger adults with the same BMI.

Heart Screen also offers BMI as a complementary program with other programs. Contact us for more information.

How does BMI relate to health?

The BMI ranges are based on the effect body weight has on disease and death. As BMI increases, the risk for some disease increases. Some common conditions related to overweight and obesity include:

• Premature death

• Cardiovascular disease

• High blood pressure

• Osteoarthritis

• Some cancers

• Diabetes