A measure of weight relative to height used by health professionals to determine healthy weight ranges.

The National Institute of Health and the World Health Organization have determined the following BMI ranges:

BMI	Weight Status
Bellow 18.5	Underweight
18.5 -24.9	Normal
25.0 - 29.9.	Overweight
30.0 and above	Obese

One of the most effective methods of measurements, BMI cab often indicate the likeliness of developing an obesity related disease (such as heart disease or diabetes).

Two people can have the same BMI, but a different body fat percentage. Athletes have large muscle mass and may have the same BMI as a person who has more body fat because BMI is calculated using weight and height.

Other factors that may be important to look at when assessing your risk for developing a chronic disease include

• Diet
• Physical activity
• Waist Circumference
• Blood Pressure
• Blood Sugar Level
• Cholesterol Level
• Family History of disease

• For adults older than 20 years.
• Locate the intersection on your height (vertical) and your weight (horizontal).
• The shaded regions on the chart correspond to healthy and overweight ranges based on body mass index(BMI).

 below 18.5 (shown in white) is considered underweight.

 between 18.5 and 25 (GREEN) is considered healthy weight.

 between 25 and 30 (YELLOW) is considered overweight.

 above 30 (RED) is considered obese.

• A person who has a large change in BMI, even if He or She is not overweight, should be evaluated to determine the cause.

Adapted from the Report of Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans(2000). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/)