Your weight affects more than just how you look. It can be a contributing factor in many diseases. While the Body Mass Index (BMI) has limitations, it is the current standard for measuring obesity. BMI is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. A high BMI can be an indicator for health risks, but a healthcare provider would perform further testing and not depend on a BMI alone.

Calculating BMI

• Kilograms and meters: weight (kg)/ [height (m)]² OR
• Pounds and inches: [weight (lb)/(height (in))²] x 703 OR
• BMI Calculator

BMI Levels:

• Below 18.5: Underweight
• 18.5-24.9 Normal or Healthy Weight
• 25-29.9: Overweight
• 30.0+: Obese

Some individuals, like athletes, may have a high BMI because of increased muscularity rather than increased body fatness. A healthcare provider should perform appropriate health assessments in order to evaluate an individual’s health status and risks.

For more information, visit CDC Healthy Weight.