Q:   I've heard the term BMI used for describing how fat a person is. What is BMI?
A:   BMI or body mass index is used by physicians and nutritionists to calculate a patient's weight as indexed by their height and weight. The final numbers are then used to determine nutrition and exercise programs that are most beneficial to the individual patient. Body mass index is also used to create statistical models for researching obesity because it is simple, correlates well to obesity, and applies to both men and women.

How to calculate your BMI:

Step 1: Multiply your height in inches by itself
Step 2: Multiply your weight in pounds by 703
Step 3: Divide Step 2 by Step 1

Rating your score:

10-19.9: Fit
20-24.9: At ideal body weight
25-29.9: Overweight
30: Obese

From 1960 to 1994, Americans have gotten fatter as the amount of people with BMI >30 has increased in the population from 13 percent to 22.5 percent of the general population.

In addition, waist circumference of greater than 40 inches in a male and 35 inches in a female is an independent risk factor for heart disease and diabetes.

If your BMI is greater than 25, you may want to consult with your physician regarding starting a weight-loss program. Further medical management may need to be initiated for extraordinarily high BMIs.

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