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What’s your Body Mass Index (BMI)?*

Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from your weight and height. It’s not a precise calculation of percentage of body fat, but it is an easy way to determine where your weight falls in the range from healthy to unhealthy.

You can use your BMI as a starting point for talking with your doctor about your weight, health and treatment options.

It is important to note that BMI is a useful measurement for most people over 18 years old. But it is only an estimate as it doesn’t take into account age, ethnicity, gender and body composition.

References
  • World Health Organization. Obesity and overweight. Fact sheet 2018 : https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight [Accessed July 2019].
  • Bray G et al. Obesity: a chronic relapsing progressive disease process. A position statement of the World Obesity Federation. Obesity Reviews 2017; 18:715–723.
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). Guidance for Industry Developing Products for Weight Management 2007.
  • Obesity Canada. Obesity in Canada. https://obesitycanada.ca/obesity-in-Canada/ [Accessed July 2019].
  • EASO. Milan Declaration: A Call to Action On Obesity. https://easo.org/2015-milan-declaration-a-call-to-action-on-obesity/ [Accessed July 2019].
  • American Medical Association. Annual Meeting: Resolutions 2012.
  • World Health Organization. Body mass index - BMI: http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/nutrition/a-healthy-lifestyle/body-mass-index-bmi [Accessed July 2019].
  • Wadden TA et al. Intensive Behavioral Therapy for Obesity Combined with Liraglutide 3.0 mg: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Obesity 2019; 27:75-86.
  • World Health Organization. Body mass index - BMI: http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/nutrition/a-healthy-lifestyle/body-mass-index-bmi [Accessed July 2019].
  • National Health and Medical Research Council. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of overweight and obesity in adults, adolescents and children in Australia 2013.
  • Yumuk V et al. European Guidelines for Obesity Management in Adults. Obesity Facts 2015; 8:402-424.

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