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Body mass index (BMI)
is a measurement based
on height and weight as
it relates to body fat,
and can be used to determine
how much risk a person
has of developing certain
health problems because
of his or her weight.
As a point of reference,
someone with a BMI of
27 is approximately 20
percent overweight. The
higher the BMI, the greater
the risk a person has
of developing additional
health problems.
To determine your BMI,
simply select your height
and type in your weight
where specified in the
form below, your BMI score
will be calculated automatically.
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On the
Body Mass Index
graph above, find
your score and the
health risk for
which it is assessed.
For example, a BMI
score of 20 - 25
is associated with
the lowest health
risk based solely
on BMI scores. If
your score is over
27, you are considered
to be at increased
risk for health
problems that are
negatively impacted
by obesity, such
as diabetes, heart
disease, high cholesterol
or hypertension.
Exceptions to a
high BMI score include
competitive athletes
and body builders,
whose BMI is high
due to increased
muscle mass, and
women who are pregnant
or lactating. The
BMI is also not
intended for use
in measuring growing
children or elderly
individuals.
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