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Body
Mass Index (BMI)
Healthcare professionals use a measurement called body mass index (BMI)
to determine weight status in adults. BMI is an equation that gives
you a numerical rating of your health based on height and weight.
To determine your BMI, multiply your weight in pounds by 703, then divide the
results by your height in inches, and divide that result by your height in inches
a second time.
Adults over 20 years of age fall into one of the following BMI
categories:
| Underweight: |
BMI
value below 18.5 |
| Recommended
Weight: |
BMI
value from 18.5-24.9 |
| Overweight: |
BMI
value from 25.0-29.9 |
| Obese: |
BMI value of 30.0 and higher |
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“BMI, like blood pressure and cholesterol, is important to know,” says
Mark Pack, M.D, general surgeon and surgical weight loss specialist at Our Lady
of Bellefonte Hospital. “This number tells you a lot about your risk
of diseases, especially cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Generally, the
higher
your BMI, the greater your risk for weight-related health problems.”
Common conditions related to being overweight or obese include
premature death, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure,
osteoarthritis, sleep
apnea, diabetes,
and cancer.
“BMI is only one of many factors used to predict a person’s risk
of disease,” Dr. Pack explains. “Individuals should have a complete
assessment by a healthcare professional to determine their risk for disease.”
For information about OLBH
Surgical Weight Loss Services, please
call the CareLine at (606) 833-CARE (2273).
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