body mass index

The Body Mass Index is an important tool in identifying people who are overweight and obese, who therefore may be at risk of various health problems. According to current Government guidelines, an individual with a BMI of 25.0 to 29.9 is classified as overweight, and a BMI ≥ 30 is indicative of obesity.¹

body mass index chart

Reference

1. National Institutes of Health. Clinical guidelines on the identification, evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/ob_gdlns.pdf. Accessed December 20, 2006.