What is Body Mass Index?
Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement of body fat based on a person’s weight and height. The BMI number is usually a good indication if you are at a healthy weight.
Calculate your BMI below:
- Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
- Normal weight: BMI 18.5-24.9
- Overweight: BMI 25-29.9
- Obese: BMI 30 or more
Why is BMI important?
The calculation applies to adult men and women only. Doctors use BMI as a screening tool for such weight-related diseases as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. In addition, if you’re considering weight loss surgery, most bariatric clinics have minimum BMI requirements, and your insurance may as well. Check with your doctor for more information on requirements. To learn if you’re a good candidate for bariatric surgery, take the quiz from Soma Weight Loss.
Marisol Avendano
Marisol Avendano is a Registered Nurse (RN) at Soma Weight Loss, where she has worked closely with bariatric surgery patients for over two years. Marisol received her B.S. in Nursing and Public Health from West Coast University in Irvine, California.
