Tools: Body Mass Index
B.M.I. is a reliable indicator of total body fat, which is related to the risk of life-threatening diseases. The score is valid for both men and women, but it may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build. It may also underestimate body fat in older people and others who have lost muscle mass.
Considerations for Weight Loss
If your B.M.I. is greater than 25, the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute recommends losing weight, particularly if you have a high waist measurement or other risk factors for disease (see below). Even a small weight loss (just 10 percent of your current weight) will help to lower your risk of developing diseases associated with obesity. If you are overweight, but do not have a high waist measurement and have fewer than two risk factors, you may need to prevent further weight gain rather than lose weight.
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Excerpt taken from New York Times.com, Health section
Live well,
janein
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