BMI equals a person’s weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared BMI=Weight inkg/ Height in m2.

The World Health Organization uses a classification system using the BMI to define overweight.

  • A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is defined as a “Pre-obese.”
  • A BMI of 30 to 34.99 is defined as “Obese class I.”
  • A BMI of 35 to 39.99 is defined as “Obese class II.”
  • A BMI of or greater than 40.00 is defined as “Obese class III.”

Women with a waist measurement of more than 35 inches and men more than 40 inches may have higher chances of diseases than people with smaller waist measurements. From left to right, the “healthy” man has a 33 inch (84 cm) waist, the “overweight” man a 45 inch (114cm) waist, and the “obese” man a 60 inch (152cm) waist.

Waist-hip ratio or waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is the ratio of the circumference of the waist to that of the hips. Males with a Waist to hip ratio of more than 1 while females of more than 0.85 are at a higher risk.

This refers to the measurement of subcutaneous fat located directly beneath the skin by grasping a fold of skin and subcutaneous fat and measuring it using calipers. It is used mainly to determine relative fatness and the percentage of body fat.

Disease Risk* Relative to Normal Weight and Waist Circumference • * Disease risk for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and CVD.