|
MemorialCare Medical Centers Your Health: Body Mass Index (BMI)
What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?
 BMI stands for Body Mass Index. BMI uses a person's weight and height to gauge total body fat. It is one method to determine whether or not an adult is overweight. An increase in BMI may also increase the risk for many diseases.
The results of BMI may differ between young adults, seniors, men and women. On average, women usually have a higher percentage of body fat then men of the same BMI, and older adults have a higher percentage than younger adults. Results also vary for those adults that are very muscular. For example, a bodybuilder will have a high percentage of muscle and a low percentage of fat. But because muscle weights more than fat, the bodybuilder may weigh as much as a non-athletic, over weight person and have the same BMI.
BMI Calculator & Rating Chart
BMI is only one of the factors used to predict risk for weight-related diseases. If your BMI is above normal, talk to your doctor to explore important lifestyle changes. If you don't have a physician, see our physician directory. Research has shown that even a small amount of weight loss can be beneficial to over all health and lower your risk for disease. Fill in the BMI Calculator fields and click the Calculate button to view your BMI Rating. Then compare your rating to the Rating Charts on the right.
 
BMI Rating & Status:
Health Risk Based on BMI:
Anaheim Memorial |
Long Beach Memorial |
Miller Children's Hospital |
Orange Coast Memorial
Saddleback Memorial - Laguna Hills & San Clemente
Web Site Privacy Policy |
Patient Privacy |
Terms of Use |
 Compliant with HON Code | Hospital Accreditation MemorialCare Medical Centers are not-for-profit, community-based hospitals located in Southern California in both Los Angeles County and Orange County.
Copyright © 1999 - 2008, Memorial Health Services. All rights reserved.
|