The BMI is one of the most accurate ways to determine whether or not an adult is overweight. Your Pharmacist, GP or Health Nurse can measure your weight and height to calculate your Body Mass Index and gauge the total body fat. They can also offer you lifestyle advice and recommend ways of reducing your chance of developing heart disease and diabetes.
A person with a BMI of 24 or less is considered to be an ideal weight. A person with a BMI of 25-29.9 is considered to be overweight. Individuals who fall into the BMI range of 25 to 34.9, and have a waist size of over 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women, are considered to be at especially high risk for obesity-related health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. A BMI over 40 indicates that a person is morbidly obese. This can increases a person’s risk of death from any cause by 50%-150%.