Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body mass index (BMI) is a number based on a person's weight and height that provides a way to estimate the effect of weight on health. The higher the BMI, the greater the risk of some diseases, including high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, some cancers, and type 2 diabetes.

To calculate exact BMI, one of the following equations is used:

The person's weight in pounds and height in inches: BMI = (pounds x 703) divided by (inches squared)
The person's weight in kilograms and height in meters: BMI = kilograms divided by (meters squared)

Credits

By:

Healthwise Staff

Last Revised: May 1, 2012

Medical Review:

Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator

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