Body mass index, waist size, and risk for disease
Your body mass index (BMI) and waist size affect your risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and coronary artery disease. The following table shows the risk.
Classification
BMI
Waist size and relative risk
Men: Less than 102 cm (40 in.)
Women: Less than 88 cm (35 in.)
Men: 102 cm (40 in.) or more
Women: 88 cm (35 in.) or more
Normal 18.5–24.9 — Increased risk Overweight 25–29.9 Increased risk High risk Obesity I 30–34.9 High risk Very high risk Obesity II 35–39.9 Very high risk Very high risk Obesity III (extreme) 40 or above Extremely high risk Extremely high risk A BMI under 18.5 is considered unhealthy. There is risk that you are not getting sufficient nutrition (malnutrition). Complications of malnutrition include anemia, nutrient deficiency, heart irregularities, loss of menstrual periods in women (amenorrhea), cavities, and osteoporosis. Being underweight may also result in depression and other mental health conditions.
| Author: | Douglas Dana Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS | Last Updated: July 27, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology & Metabolism | |
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