What is BMI?
BMI, which stands for body mass index, is a measure of your relative weight for height (your weight compared to your height).
Use our online BMI Calculator, or
Please refer to the chart created by The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
What BMI Means
BMI is used as a screening tool for individuals of normal weight and for those who are concerned about weight-related health issues. The table below shows what BMI results mean:
| | Obesity Class | BMI (kg/m2) |
| Underweight | | <18.5 |
| Normal | | 18.5-24.9 |
| Overweight | | 25.0-29.9 |
| Obesity | I | 30.0-34.9 |
| | II | 35.0-39.9 |
| Extreme Obesity | III | 40 |
People who are overweight or obese are at increased risk of heart disease, or conditions that may lead to heart disease, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Lowering Your BMI
In order to lower your BMI, you'll need to take steps to lose weight, such as eating a lower calorie diet and exercising more.
At Wake Forest Baptist Health, you'll have access to a team of health care professionals who can help you to lose weight. Your team may include heart doctors (cardiologists), nurse specialists, nutritionists and others.
Request an Appointment with a Heart Center physician today.