Related Terms

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Background

• Body mass index (BMI) is a tool for indicating weight status in adults. It is a measure of weight for height. For adults over 20 years old, BMI falls into one of these categories: Below 18.5 (underweight), 18.5-24.9 (normal), 25.0-29.9 (Overweight) and 30.0 and above (obese).

• BMI correlates with body fat; BMI does not measure body fat. The relation between fatness and BMI differs with age and gender. For example, women are more likely to have a higher percent of body fat than men with the same BMI. On average, older people may have more body fat than younger adults with the same BMI. A BMI calculator may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build, and it may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle mass because it does not consider lean body mass.
• BMI alone is not diagnostic. BMI is just one of many factors related to developing a chronic disease (such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes). Other factors that may be important to look at when assessing a risk for chronic disease include diet, physical activity, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar level, cholesterol level and family history of disease. As a person's BMI increases the risk for many diseases increases as well.
• BMI is different for adults than it is for children. For children (2-20 years-old), a BMI-for-age is used to assess underweight, overweight, and risk for overweight. This is why BMI for children is gender and age specific, and is plotted on gender specific growth charts. Typically, BMI-for-age breaks down into categories: <5th percentile (underweight, 5th percentile to <85th percentile (normal), 85th percentile to <95th percentile (at risk of overweight), and ≥85th percentile (overweight).
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Theory/Evidence

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Charts and Calculators

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Cdc Charts

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Author Information

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References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

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