Your BMI may also lead your company to place you in a high-risk group in terms of your health, possibly affecting your insurance rate.
( 3) Rather, if you have a high or low BMI, your physician may have you undergo additional health screenings, such as for high cholesterol or high blood pressure. The CDC warns that BMI shouldn’t be used to define body fat or diagnose health conditions. ( 1)īMI can be tied to your health risk for certain diseases and health outcomes, but the measurement is limited, some critics argue. A person who is obese paid $1,429 per year more than someone with a normal weight, the CDC notes. The CDC also estimates that in 2008, obesity cost the United States $147 billion in healthcare that year. Using this approach, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than one-third of American adults are obese. What Is the Definition of BMI?īMI is a common measure of body weight, and most medical professionals use BMI to categorize people as having a normal weight, being overweight, or being obese.
#Teen body mass index calculator how to
Here, you’ll learn what BMI means how to calculate your number what a low, normal, or high BMI is and why the measurement isn't without its downsides. Think of this as your comprehensive guide to all things BMI. You probably know BMI stands for body mass index and that it has to do with weight, but what exactly is BMI used for, and how seriously do you need to consider your BMI and the BMI of your family members?
You've likely heard one of those terms - the abbreviation BMI - during a doctor’s appointment or even in the news. The field of medicine is filled with tons of complex and confusing medical terms.