Being overweight or obese increase the chance of developing health risks such as diabetes and heart disease. The "body mass index" (BMI) is one of the methods widely used to measure if someone is overweight or obese, and therefore at risk.
Calculate your bmi
bmi= weight (kg) / height(m) x height(m)
Scoring
bmi score: category
- Less than 18.5: underweight
- 18.5 - 24.9: healthy weight*
- 25 - 29.9: overweight
- 30 or more: obese
* lowered health risk
People deemed overweight are those with a BMI or 25 or more, while those with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese. (Underweight are those with a BMI less than 18.5, which also poses a health risk.)
The numbers come from a calculation that compares people's height and weight. To find out your BMI, divide your weight (in kilograms) by the square of your height (in metres). To calculate your BMI, type in your height and weight in the form to the right. If you prefer, we have also set up a form that uses pounds, feet and inches.
Body mass index numbers are used as a guide to tell people if their weight is increasing their chance of health risks such as diabetes and heart disease. In other words, people who are neither overweight or underweight have a lowered health risk.
It's important to note that BMI calculations aren't accurate for everybody. They aren't used for children because a child's body is growing. Instead, statistics involving children look at their risk of being overweight or obese by the time they become adults. The body mass index will also overestimate results for adults who are muscular, such as athletes, or women who are pregnant.
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External Links
- TRANSforming the Food Supply
- Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation - Trans Fats
- International Food Information Council: trans fats
- Statistics Canada: Canadian Community Health Survey: Obesity among children and adults
- Adult Obesity in Canada: Measured height and weight
- Laval University research chair on obesity
- Health Canada: Family guide to physical activity for children
- A parent's guide to healthy eating and activity
- International Food Information Council: trans fats
- Web MD: trans fats
- Surfwax.com: articles on trans fats
- Omega-3:
- American Heart Association
- Omega-3 fatty acids: the Mayo clinic
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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