Weight-Related
Health Risk Analysis
BMI + WHR
Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist:Height Ratio (WHR) are valid measurements of an individual's weight-related health risks when used together in order to distinguish excess weight as either fat or muscle.
- Body Mass Indexes greater than 25 are associated with increasingly severe health risks, including: heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and many forms of cancer, especially colon, breast, and prostate cancers.
- Since BMI is based solely on Height & Weight measurements, and not on body composition (percent body fat, %BF) which is the true predictor of health risk for chronic disease, BMI's are only valid for 75% of the adult population.
- A person's BMI is invalid as a health risk indicator when the "excess" weight (BMI >25) is due to extra muscle. A greater than average muscle mass decreases the health risk for chronic disease.
- A Waist:Height Ratio greater than 0.5 usually validates the weight-related health risks based on the BMI, because it indicates the excess weight is probably due to excess fat rather than muscle.
- Also, a person's BMI is invalid as a LOW health risk indicator when excess fat weight is "hidden" in the place of an inadequate amount of healthy muscle weight. This condition is known as "skinny-fat," which has an increased risk for chronic disease.
- A WHR > 0.5 indicates excess abdominal fat, which is an independent risk factor for chronic disease.
- A Medical-Fitness Test will identify which individuals are healthy or unhealthy regardless of body Weight, BMI, or WHR.
- Functional fitness testing will also determine an appropriate fitness training program for unhealthy individuals to increase muscle mass, reduce fat weight, and improve cardiovascular fitness for preventing - or even reversing - chronic disease, reducing health risks, and achieving optimal health.
BMI Chart
Body Mass Index is a calculated value of Height & Weight that allows direct comparison among people of differing heights and weights.
Use the chart below to find your BMI and a Healthy Weight Range for your Height.
Use the chart below to find your BMI and a Healthy Weight Range for your Height.
If your Height and/or approximate Weight does not appear on the chart above, use the formula below to calculate your BMI.
(Wt in pounds / Ht x Ht in inches) x 703 = BMI
(Wt in pounds / Ht x Ht in inches) x 703 = BMI
You can also install a Free BMI Calculator App on your smart phone.
Waist:Height Ratio
Waist Circumference is usually measured midway between the lower rib and the iliac crest (hip bone), or at about the level of the umbilicus or navel (bellybutton), or it may be measured at the "horizontal line of greatest circumference."
Measure your Height and your Waist Circumference and calculate your Waist:Height Ratio to better interpret your BMI Risk:
Waist Circumference (inches) .
------------------------------------------ = WHR
Height (inches) .
------------------------------------------ = WHR
Height (inches) .
WHR Chart
Health Risk Interpretation
If your BMI places you in the Overweight or Obese category, but your WHR is in the Healthy Weight or Overweight category, your "excess" weight is probably due to having more muscle than the average person of your height and weight - making your BMI invalid as a health risk indicator. In your case, disregard your BMI and use your WHR alone to determine your weight-related health risk.
If your WHR category matches your BMI category, your BMI & WHR are probably valid weight-related health risk indicators and you can use the BMI Chart above to determine a healthy weight range specific to your height. Men would generally be in the mid to upper weight range, and women would generally be in the mid to lower weight range -- within the healthy weight ranges.
If your WHR category matches your BMI category, your BMI & WHR are probably valid weight-related health risk indicators and you can use the BMI Chart above to determine a healthy weight range specific to your height. Men would generally be in the mid to upper weight range, and women would generally be in the mid to lower weight range -- within the healthy weight ranges.
Health Risk Chart
If you are overweight or obese, we recommend: