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Question #2:
Am I Fat?
Am I Fat?
BMI + WHR
When used together, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist:Height Ratio (WHR) are valid measurements of your weight-related health risks, because combined these simple measurements distinguish excess fat from muscle (lean body mass).
- Body Mass Indexes greater than 25 are associated with increasingly severe health risks, including; osteoarthritis, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and many forms of cancer.
- The BMI is based solely on Height & Weight measurements rather than Body Composition (percent body fat), which is the true predictor of health risk for chronic disease.
- The BMI measurement alone is valid for only about 75% of the adult population.
- A person's BMI can be invalid as a HIGH health risk indicator when the "excess" weight (BMI >25) is due to extra muscle.
- A BMI >25 due to an increased amount of muscle decreases the risk for chronic disease.
- A Waist:Height Ratio greater than 0.5 usually validates a BMI >25 for weight-related health risks, because it indicates the excess weight is not due to extra muscle, but rather excess fat.
- Also, a WHR > 0.5 specifically indicates excess abdominal fat, which is an independent health risk factor for chronic disease.
- A person's BMI can also be invalid as a LOW health risk indicator when excess fat weight is "hidden" in the place of an inadequate amount of muscle.
- A BMI in the healthy weight range (<25) when muscle mass is lacking is known as "skinny-fat," because the person's "healthy" weight is composed of too much fat and not enough muscle, which increases the risk for chronic disease.
Weight-Related
Health Risk Assessment
Use the charts below to interpret your measurements and calculations:
BMI Chart
Calculating BMI
If your Height and/or approximate Weight does not appear on the chart above, you can calculate your BMI:
(Wt in kilograms / Ht x Ht in meters) = BMI
or
(Wt in pounds / Ht x Ht in inches) x 703 = BMI
or
Use a Free BMI Calculator App on your smart phone.
(Wt in kilograms / Ht x Ht in meters) = BMI
or
(Wt in pounds / Ht x Ht in inches) x 703 = BMI
or
Use a Free BMI Calculator App on your smart phone.
Waist:Height Ratio
Waist Circumference is usually measured midway between the lower rib and the iliac crest (hip bone), or at about the level of the umbilicus or navel (bellybutton), or it may be measured at the "horizontal line of greatest circumference."
Measure your Height and your Waist Circumference and calculate your Waist:Height Ratio to better interpret your BMI Risk:
Measure your Height and your Waist Circumference and calculate your Waist:Height Ratio to better interpret your BMI Risk:
Use the same units of measurement (centimeters or inches) in your calculation.
WHR Chart
Health Risk Chart
If your BMI places you in the Overweight or Obese category, but your WHR is in the Healthy Weight or Overweight category, your "excess" weight is probably due to having more muscle than the average person of your height and weight - making your BMI less valid as a health risk indicator. In your case, use the average of your BMI and WHR risk to determine your weight-related health risk.
If your WHR category matches your BMI category, your BMI & WHR are probably valid weight-related health risk indicators and you can use the BMI Chart above to determine a healthy weight range specific to your height. Men would generally be in the mid to upper weight range, and women would generally be in the mid to lower weight range -- within the healthy weight ranges.
If your WHR category matches your BMI category, your BMI & WHR are probably valid weight-related health risk indicators and you can use the BMI Chart above to determine a healthy weight range specific to your height. Men would generally be in the mid to upper weight range, and women would generally be in the mid to lower weight range -- within the healthy weight ranges.
Body Composition Charts (%BF)
