BMI Calculator

Helping consumers learn about BMI and find the best weight loss surgeon.

Weight Loss Surgery

Are you facing surgery? You are not alone. Millions of Americans have weight loss surgery each year. Most operations are not emergencies. This means you have time to ask your weight loss surgery doctor or surgeon questions about the procedure and time to decide whether to have it,. The information does not apply to emergency surgery.

BMI Calculator
Overweight refers to an excess of body weight, but not necessarily body fat. Obesity means an excessively high proportion of body fat. Health professionals use a measurement called body mass index (BMI) to classify an adult's weight as healthy, overweight, or obese. BMI describes body weight relative to height and is correlated with total body fat content in most adults.

To get your approximate BMI, multiply your weight in pounds by 703, then divide the result by your height in inches, and divide that result by your height in inches a second time. (Or you can use the interactive BMI calculator at www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm.)

A BMI from 18.5 up to 25 is considered in the healthy range, from 25 up to 30 is overweight, and 30 or higher is obese. Generally, the higher a person's BMI, the greater the risk for health problems, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). However, there are some exceptions. For example, very muscular people, like body builders, may have a BMI greater than 25 or even 30, but this reflects increased muscle rather than fat. "It is excess body fat that leads to the health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol," says Eric Colman, M.D., of the FDA's Division of Metabolic and Endocrine Drug Products.

In addition to a high BMI, having excess abdominal body fat is a health risk. Men with a waist of more than 40 inches around and women with a waist of 35 inches or more are at risk for health problems.

Obesity, once thought by many to be a moral failing, is now often classified as a disease. The NHLBI calls it a complex chronic disease involving social, behavioral, cultural, physiological, metabolic, and genetic factors. Although experts may have different theories on how and why people become overweight, they generally agree that the key to losing weight is a simple message: Eat less and move more. Your body needs to burn more calories than you take in.

The BMI ranges shown at left are for adults. They are not exact ranges of healthy and unhealthy weights. However, they show that health risk increases at higher levels of overweight and obesity. Even within the healthy BMI range, weight gains can carry health risks for adults.

Directions: Find your weight on the bottom of the graph. Go straight up from that point until you come to the line that matches your height. Then look to find your weight group.

Healthy Weight: BMI from 18.5 up to 25 refers to healthy weight.

Overweight: BMI from 25 up to 30 refers to overweight.

Obese: BMI 30 or higher refers to obesity. Obese persons are also overweight.

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Weight Loss Information

If you or a loved one are thinking about having weight loss surgery, you need to speak with an experienced doctor or surgeon as soon as posisble. You probably have alot of questions, and chances are you may be nervous or afraid. Good weight loss surgeons in your area can help relieve this anxiety and stress.

Disclaimer: The weight loss surgery and all other information presented on this website should not be construed to be formal medical advice, nor the formation of a doctor or surgeon client relationship. The information is not intended in any way to be, or replace, in person medical advice offered by a doctor, weight loss surgeon, or other healthcare professional. Please contact a doctor, surgeon, specialist, or other healthcare professional for a weight loss surgery consultation This web site is not intended to solicit clients.