Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist
Body Mass Index (BMI) is measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women.
| BMI = | Weight (kilograms) |
| (Height (metres))2 |
Different ranges apply to those of Caucasian as compared to Asian backgrounds.
BMI Classifications:
| Classification | BMI (Caucasian) | BMI (Asian) |
| Underweight | <19 | <18.5 |
| Ideal BMI | 19-25 | 18.5-23 |
| Overweight | 25-30 | 23-27.5 |
| Obese | >30 | >27.5 |
| Severely Obese | >35 | >32.5 |
| Morbidly Obese | >40 | >37.5 |
| Super Obese | >50 |
Waist Circumference and Waist - Hip Ratio
Fat predominantly distributed around the waist is probably the most important risk factor for health complications such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and type II diabetes. Fat predominantly deposited around the hips and buttocks doesn't have this same risk. This fat around the waist is called “visceral fat” and it produces inflammatory factors and hormones that can damage blood vessels and the liver. Good estimations can be made of visceral fat volumes using measures of waist circumference or the waist to hip ratio. An increase in either of these measures is called “abdominal obesity” or “visceral obesity” and is just as important as the BMI in determining the need for weight loss.
Waist Circumference is measured around the widest part of the abdomen. Hip Circumference is measured from the top of the hip bones on both sides.
| Classification | Caucasian | Asian | ||
| Men | Women | Men | Women | |
| Abdominal Obesity | ||||
| Waist Circumference | > 97cm | > 85cm | > 90cm | > 80cm |
| Waist-Hip Ratio | > 0.9 | > 0.85 | > 0.9 | > 0.8 |