The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a health indicator based on weight. It uses your weight and height to calculate a Body Mass Index score indicating your level of healthy weight, overweight or obesity.

Your Height:	feet:
	inches:
Your Weight:
Your Body Mass Index:

BMI scores for children and teens should be discussed with a pediatrician. BMI scores are applicable to both men and women.

As a general guideline:

Below 18.5	Underweight
18.5 to 24.9	Normal

A BMI at or above 25 is generally considered overweight, while a BMI of 30 or higher may indicate obesity. Both categories can be associated with a higher level of fat, as well as higher blood pressure, increased incidence of diabetes and/or greater risk of heart disease.

Established by the National Institutes of Health in 1998, BMI provides a fairly accurate estimate of health risk for most people. However, it does not consider individual factors, such as bone size, body frame, muscle mass or abdominal fat.

Athletes, for example, and other muscular people may have relatively high BMIs even though they are not obese. Conversely, the BMI may underestimate body fat in those who are smaller framed or who have lost muscle mass.

BMI is also only one indicator of health risk. Other factors include diet, physical activity, family history, blood pressure, abdominal fat and cholesterol level.