Circle of Responsibility

Having calculated your body mass index, you may be wondering what it means. BMI measures your weight relative to your height and is an indicator of total body fat. The amount of body fat is, in turn, related to your risk of developing certain diseases. Using the chart below, find in which range your BMI falls and check the corresponding weight status.

Being severely underweight (with a BMI far below 18.5) is a health risk because it may indicate that your body is not receiving adequate nutrition.  If you are having any difficulty eating or digesting, experiencing disordered eating, you may want to consult your healthcare provider (1).

 

Your BMI indicates that you are at a healthy weight for your height. Practicing good nutrition and being physically active are key lifestyle practices to help prevent future weight gain. See our nutrition and exercise tips specific for college students and working professionals to continue on the right track.

 

According to your BMI, you are carrying excess weight, which increases your risk for various diseases and health conditions including:

Losing weight will help decrease this risk. Many people get discouraged because they think they need to lose 50 pounds, for example, in order to make a positive change, but even a slight weight loss (like 10% of your current weight) will significantly decrease your risk of developing these health conditions. For tips on eating and exercising to lose weight, visit our Energy Balance page (2).

 

Although BMI is a reliable indicator of total body fat and predictor of disease risk, it does have some limitations. Since it’s solely based on body weight, the BMI measurement does not differentiate between fat and muscle.  So, if you’re an athlete or you have a muscular build, your BMI value may indicate that you’re overweight or obese when in reality, you may have little body fat and a lot of muscle. On the contrary, for people who lost muscle mass (such as older persons or people with injuries), BMI may underestimate the amount of body fat (1).

 

Also, keep in mind that BMI is only one measurement used to determine health risk. Other factors to consider include waist circumference, family health history and lifestyle habits.

 

Now that you have assessed your current situation, see what steps you can take as college students or working professionals toward a healthy lifestyle of good nutrition and plentiful exercise.