However, it should not be the only measure an individual uses to assess whether their weight is ideal. Learn more about the limitations of BMI. A high WHR is has associations with higher levels of visceral fat , the fat in the abdominal cavity that surrounds several major organs.

For this reason, the WHR can be a useful tool for understanding potential health risks when considered alongside other assessments of health status. A meta-analysis suggests that having a high WHR can put people at a higher risk of myocardial infarction, or heart attack.

To calculate their WHR, a person should measure around their waist at the narrowest part, usually just above the belly button.

They can then divide this measurement by the width of their hip at its widest part. Using WHR, a World Health Organization WHO report defines abdominal obesity as follows:. However, as with BMI, the WHR does have limitations.

Optimal WHR differs based on sex assigned at birth as well as race and ethnicity, according to the WHO report. Plus, body size is not a direct measure of health. To discover more evidence-based information and resources for weight management, visit our dedicated hub.

The waist-to-height ratio WtHR is another tool to assess body size. According to research , higher WtHR has associations with worse cholesterol and blood pressure, even at a healthy BMI.

For this reason, WtHR may be helpful when assessing health risk when used along with other measures of health. To calculate WtHR, divide waist size by height.

If the result is 0. A study concluded that a WtHR of 0. However, this study did not account for ethnicity. For example, a 30 year old male with a 0. On average, a female of the same age and WHtR may be at risk of a 4. While population-level studies are important, individual health is about more than waist size alone.

A person should talk with their doctor if they have concerns about the health risks that may have links to a higher WtHR. Learn how to measure the waist. This includes fat found in many different parts of the body. Body fat is necessary for the human body to function. An individual needs a type called essential fat to survive — it is critical for the development of the brain, bone marrow, nerves, and membranes.

Other types of fat protect the internal organs in the chest and abdomen, and the body can use it if necessary for energy.

According to the American Council for Exercise , these are the expected body fat ranges for adults:. Typically, obesity has associations with a high proportion of body fat. Obesity and overweight can carry a greater risk for conditions such as:. Calculating body fat percentage can provide useful information because it reflects body composition, unlike BMI, WHR, and WtHR.

Learn more about body fat levels by age and sex. The most common way of measuring body fat percentage is to use a skinfold measurement, which uses special calipers to pinch the skin.

A health professional will measure tissue on the thigh, abdomen, and chest for males or upper arm for females. While none of these can give a completely accurate reading, the estimates can be close enough to offer a reasonable assessment.

Learn more about the different ways to measure body fat. One method a person can use to determine their ideal weight is body mass index BMI measurements. How well do you score on brain health? Shining light on night blindness.

Can watching sports be bad for your health? Beyond the usual suspects for healthy resolutions. February 15, Your BMI Body Mass Index is a calculation that is used to determine if a person is overweight that applies to both adult men and women.

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Lose Weight and Keep It Off Successful weight loss depends largely on becoming more aware of your behaviors and starting to change them. Free Healthbeat Signup Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

Newsletter Signup Sign Up. Close Thanks for visiting. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness , is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

I want to get healthier. Close Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Close Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Research on how losing weight might lower the risk of developing cancer is limited.

Some body changes that occur as a result of weight loss suggest it may, indeed, reduce cancer risk. For example, overweight or obese people who intentionally lose weight have reduced levels of certain hormones that are related to cancer risk, such as insulin, estrogens, and androgens.

While we still have much to learn about the link between weight loss and cancer risk, people who are overweight or obese should be encouraged and supported if they try to lose weight. Aside from possibly reducing cancer risk, losing weight can have many other health benefits, such as lowering the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Losing even a small amount of weight has health benefits and is a good place to start. Modern life in America has led many people to eat more unhealthy foods, eat bigger food portions, and be less active.

As a result, the number of Americans who are overweight or obese very overweight has been rising. More than 1 in 3 American adults is now obese, and another 1 in 3 is overweight. Being overweight or obese can have far-reaching health consequences. Overweight and obese people, on average, do not live as long as people who stay at a healthy body weight throughout their lives.

Not only are more adults overweight or obese, but more children are, too. This number is much higher than it was a few decades ago, although it has leveled off in recent years.

Some of the same health problems affecting obese adults can also affect obese children. These include heart disease risk factors such as high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, as well as asthma, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, muscle and joint problems, and liver disease.

Obese children and teens are also at higher risk for anxiety, depression, and social and psychological problems, such as being bullied and having poor self-esteem.

Overweight and obese children and teens are also more likely to have weight problems as adults, as well as the risk of health problems that can come with this.

Finding your body mass index, or BMI, is a way to help you figure out if you are at a healthy weight for your height. BMI is a number based on your weight and height. In general, the higher the number, the more body fat a person has.

BMI is often used as a screening tool to decide if your weight might be putting you at risk for health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. In adults, BMI is calculated the same way for both men and women.

There are several ways to find your BMI. See below for information about how to calculate BMI in children and teens. BMI can be easily calculated using our online calculator. Charts are another easy way to find your BMI.

To use the table below, find your height on the left side of the chart, then go across to the weight that is closest to yours. At the top of the chart you can see your BMI, and at the bottom of the chart you can see which category you fit into — healthy weight, overweight, or obese:.

This table shows us that a woman who is 5 ft. tall is considered overweight BMI is 25 to 29 if she weighs between about and pounds. She is considered obese BMI is 30 or more if she is closer to pounds or more.

A man who is 5 ft. tall is considered overweight BMI is 25 to 29 if he weighs between about and pounds, and is obese BMI is 30 or more if he is closer to pounds or more.

You can also calculate your own BMI. The actual formula to determine BMI uses metric system measurements: weight in kilograms kg divided by height in meters, squared m 2.

When using pounds and inches, the formula needs to be altered slightly. Multiply your weight in pounds by Divide that by your height in inches, squared:. This is because the normal amount of body fat changes with age in children and teens, and is different between boys and girls.

To account for this, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC has developed age- and sex-specific growth charts. The percentiles are then used to determine the different weight groups:.

Doctors and nurses often use BMI to help find out if a person might have a weight problem. For example:. For most adults, the BMI is a good way to get an idea of healthy weight ranges. There are other things to think about when judging how much someone should weigh.

As part of its Guideline for Diet and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention , the American Cancer Society recommends that people try to get to and stay at a healthy weight throughout life. The best way to stay at a healthy body weight is to balance how much and what you eat with how active you are.

If you are overweight, the best way to get to a healthy body weight is to limit the calories you take in, and burn more calories through physical activity. Fried foods, cookies, cakes, candy, ice cream, and regular soft drinks should be replaced with vegetables and fruits, whole grains, beans, and lower calorie beverages.

Be physically active: The American Cancer Society recommends that adults get to minutes of moderate intensity or 75 to minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week or a combination of these.

Getting more is even better. Children and teens should get at least 1 hour of moderate or vigorous intensity activity each day. Doing some physical activity on top of your usual activities, no matter what your level of activity, can have many health benefits.

Along with helping you get to or stay at a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet and increasing your physical activity can have their own health benefits, including lowering your risk of cancer.

More and more evidence suggests that being overweight or obese raises the risk of cancer coming back after treatment and may lower the chances of survival for many cancers. Both during and after cancer treatment, people should try to get to and stay at a healthy weight whenever possible.

Some cancer survivors can be malnourished and underweight when they are diagnosed or as a result of cancer treatment. These people may need help gaining or maintaining their weight. Other people may be overweight or obese when they are diagnosed with cancer.

Others may choose to talk with their doctor about whether to try to lose modest amounts of weight during treatment, assuming it is monitored closely and does not affect treatment.