How Are Overweight and Obesity Diagnosed?
The most common way to find out whether youre
overweight or obese is to figure out your body mass index (BMI). BMI is an
estimate of body fat and a good gauge of your risk for diseases that occur with
more body fat. The higher your BMI, the higher your risk of disease. BMI is
calculated from your height and weight. You or your health care provider can
use the chart below or the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institutes
online BMI calculator to figure
out your BMI.
Body Mass Index for Adults
Height |
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
4'10" |
100 |
105 |
110 |
115 |
119 |
124 |
129 |
134 |
138 |
143 |
148 |
5'0" |
107 |
112 |
118 |
123 |
128 |
133 |
138 |
143 |
148 |
153 |
158 |
5'1" |
111 |
116 |
122 |
127 |
132 |
137 |
143 |
148 |
153 |
158 |
164 |
5'3" |
118 |
124 |
130 |
135 |
141 |
146 |
152 |
158 |
163 |
169 |
175 |
5'5" |
126 |
132 |
138 |
144 |
150 |
156 |
162 |
168 |
174 |
180 |
186 |
5'7" |
134 |
140 |
146 |
153 |
159 |
166 |
172 |
178 |
185 |
191 |
198 |
5'9" |
142 |
149 |
155 |
162 |
169 |
176 |
182 |
189 |
196 |
203 |
209 |
5'11" |
150 |
157 |
165 |
172 |
179 |
186 |
193 |
200 |
208 |
215 |
222 |
6'1" |
159 |
166 |
174 |
182 |
189 |
197 |
204 |
212 |
219 |
227 |
235 |
6'3" |
168 |
176 |
184 |
192 |
200 |
208 |
216 |
224 |
232 |
240 |
248 |
* Weight is measured with underwear but no
shoes.
Use this table to learn your BMI.
First, find your height on the far left column. Next, move across the row to
find your weight. Once youve found your weight, move to the very top of
that column. This number is your BMI.
What Does Body Mass Index Mean?
BMI |
|
18.524.9 |
Normal weight |
25.029.9 |
Overweight |
30.039.9 |
Obese |
40.0 and above |
Extreme obesity |
Although BMI can be used for most men and women, it
does have some limits:
- It may overestimate body fat in athletes and
others who have a muscular build.
- It may underestimate body fat in older persons
and others who have lost muscle.
Body Mass Index for Children and Teens
Overweight is defined differently for children and
teens than it is for adults. Because children are still growing and boys and
girls mature at different rates, BMIs for children and teens compare their
heights and weights against growth charts that take age and sex into account.
This is called BMI-for-age percentile. A child or teens BMI-for-age
percentile shows how his or her BMI compares with other boys and girls of the
same age.
For more information about BMI-for-age and growth
charts for children, go to the Centers for Disease Control and
Preventions
BMI-for-age calculator.
What Does the BMI-for-Age Percentile Mean?
BMI-for-Age Percentile |
|
Less than 5th percentile |
Underweight |
5th percentile to less than the 85th percentile |
Healthy weight |
85th percentile to less than the 95th percentile |
Risk of overweight |
95th percentile or greater |
Overweight |
Waist Circumference
Health care professionals also may take your waist
measurement. This helps to screen for the possible health risks that come with
overweight and obesity in adults. If you have abdominal obesity and most of
your fat is around your waist rather than at your hips, youre at higher
risk for
heart
disease and type 2 diabetes. This risk goes up with a waist size that is
greater than 35 inches for women or greater than 40 inches for men.
You too may want to measure your waist size. To do
so correctly, stand and place a tape measure around your middle, just above
your hipbones. Measure your waist just after you breathe out.
Specialists Involved
A primary care doctor (or pediatrician for children
and teens) will assess your BMI, waist measurement, and overall health risk. If
youre overweight or obese, or have a large waist size, your doctor should
explain the health risks and find out whether youre interested and
willing to lose weight. If you are, you and your doctor should work together to
create a treatment plan. The plan should include weight loss goals and
treatment options that are realistic for you.
Your doctor may send you to other health care
specialists if you need expert care. These specialists may include:
- An endocrinologist if you need to be treated for
type 2 diabetes or a hormone problem such as an underactive thyroid.
- A registered dietitian or nutritionist to work
with you on ways to change your eating habits.
- An exercise physiologist or trainer to figure out
your level of fitness and show you how to start physical activities suitable
for you.
- A bariatric surgeon if weight loss surgery is an
option for you.
- A psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social
worker to help treat depression or stress.
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