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Body Mass Index, Waist Size, and Risk for Disease

Your body mass index (BMI) and waist size affect your risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and coronary artery disease. The following table shows the risk.

**Body mass index (BMI) and the risk for diseases** ¹
Classification	BMI	Waist size and relative risk
Classification	BMI	Men: less than 40 in. (102 cm) Women: less than 35 in. (88 cm)	Men: 40 in. (102 cm) or more Women: 35 in. (88 cm) or more
Normal	18.5-24.9	-	Increased risk
Overweight	25-29.9	Increased risk	High risk
Obesity I	30-34.9	High risk	Very high risk
Obesity II	35-39.9	Very high risk	Very high risk
Obesity III (extreme)	40 or above	Extremely high risk	Extremely high risk

For Asian people, each risk category may include lower BMIs than those listed in the table.

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A BMI under 18.5 is considered unhealthy. There is risk that you are not getting sufficient nutrition (malnutrition). Complications of malnutrition include anemia, nutrient deficiency, heart irregularities, loss of menstrual periods in women (amenorrhea), cavities, and osteoporosis.

Citations

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health (2000). The Practical Guide: Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults (NIH Publication No. 00-4084). Available online: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/prctgd_c.pdf.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator
Last Revised	May 25, 2011

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 25, 2011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.