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What is Body Mass Index?

BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It's used as a convenient way of assessing whether a person is the right weight for their height. BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight (in kilograms) by their height (in meters, squared). You don't need to bother with that though - just use the calculator on the left and then check your results against the chart below to see how far you need to go. As always consult your doctor before beginning any diet or exercise plan.

Remember that BMI is a guide and should not be used as the only measure of whether you are overweight or not - some bigger and very muscular athletes such as rugby players have a BMI over 30 and are the last people you'd think of as obese!

BMI below 18.5 = UNDERWEIGHT

Low body fat as the medical fraternity puts it. If you are in this range, you could be very athletic, naturally small framed, be ill or have an eating disorder. Unless you're training for the London Marathon, you don't want to be dieting, you want to be looking to be doing a bit of healthy weight gain.

BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 = NORMAL

This is where most of us would like to end up. If your body mass is in this range, you look better, feel better and are healthier.

BMI between 25 and 29.9 = OVERWEIGHT

You're overweight, and have a higher risk of developing problems (see below). You need to start a diet and exercise programme. Cut down on the snacks, avoid the beer and walk a bit more and you'll be surprised how it drops off.

BMI between 30 and 39 = OBESE

You're more overweight, and have a significantly higher risk of developing medical problems (see below). You really need to start a diet and exercise programme today. If your waist is over 40 inches for men or 35 for women that makes it even more important that you shed a few pounds otherwise you'll be in the following category before you can say 'hold the fries'

BMI over 40 = EXTREMELY OBESE

You're extremely overweight. This excess body fat means a much higher risk of developing medical problems (see below). But it's never too late to start on the right track - talk to your friendly health professional about a diet and exercise program and you'll be a shadow of your former self in no time!

Hypertension - High blood pressure
Cardiovascular Disease - Heart and circulation problems
Dyslipidemia - High levels of fat in the blood
Adult Onset type 2 Diabetes - Usually after 40 years of age, 60% to 90% of patients are overweight
Sleep Apnea - Temporarily stopping breathing during sleep often due to obstruction of the upper airway by fatty tissue.
Osteoarthritis - Degenerative disorder of joints, frequently in the spine and weight bearing joints (knees and hips).
Female Infertility - Unable to naturally conceive, carry or deliver a healthy child without medical intervention.

Emma's Daily Diet Tip

Start your meal with half a Grapefruit. It'll make you less hungry and provide a useful dose of vitamin C with hardly any calories.

Calculate your Body Mass Index here

If you don't know your weight in pounds - use the converter below first. You'll need to enter your weight in stones as a decimal eg 12 stone 7lbs = 12.5