Body Mass Index (BMI)
BMI is a tool for interpreting health status of adults over 20 years old as the risk of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, cancers and diabetes increases as the BMI increases. It is calculated from the weight (kg) divided by the square of the height(m2):
BMI = Weight(kg)/Height(m2)
The International Classification of Adult Weight Status According to BMI:
Classification
BMI(kg/m2)
Underweight
<18.50
Normal range
18.50 - 24.99
Overweight
≥25.00
Obese
≥30.00
Obese class I
30.00 - 34-99
Obese class II
35.00 - 39.99
Obese class III
≥40.00
Source: Adapted from WHO, 1995, WHO, 2000 and WHO 2004.