Body Mass Index

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the World Health Organization (WHO) consider overweight as a BMI (Body Mass Index) from 25 to 29.9, and obesity as a BMI of 30 or more.

Based on the latest statistics, more than half of U.S. adults are overweight. According to the NIH, this includes 54.9% of U.S. adults (97.1 million) æ 50% of women and 59% of men. Of greater concern is the fact that 22.3% of U.S. adults (39.8 million) are obese 25 % of women and 19.5% of men. Unfortunately, these numbers have risen (from 1960 to 1994, the prevalence of obesity increased from 13.4 to 22.3%) and are continuing to rise (from 1991 to 1998, obesity increased in every state of the United States in both genders).

The weight statistics for Diabetics aren't surprising. Among individuals with Type II Diabetes, 67 percent have a BMI equal to or greater than 27, and 46 percent have a BMI in the "obese" zone.


You can calculate your BMI using the following formula:
  1. multiply your weight in pounds by 704.5
  2. then divide the result by your height in inches
  3. then divide the result by your height in inches a second time
 
Weight:
(in pounds)
Height:
(in inches)
Your BMI =
 

On a cautionary note, please realize that while BMI is considered a reasonable tool, it is not as accurate as most people would like to believe.