Your BMI is used to determine whether you are overweight or obese. The Body Mass Index (BMI) calculates a person’s height-to-weight ratio. The result of this calculation is a good indicator to determine whether the weight is healthy or overweight. The chart below* shows the different categories you can fall into based on your BMI. This schedule applies to adults 18 – 73 years old. The WHO defines obesity as occurring at a BMI of 30 or higher.
Less than 18.5 | Underweight
18.5 – 25 | Healthy
25 – 30 | Overweight
30 – 40 | Obesity
40 or higher | Morbid obesity
* This schedule is not to be used for pregnant women, lactating women, seriously ill persons, athletes and adults 74 years of age and older.