B.M.I. = Weight (Kg)/Height (M)2

Normal range - Men : 18 – 24.9
      Women : 17 – 25

B.M.I. : 25 – 29.9 = Over weight
     30 – 34.9 = Obesity I
    35 – 39.9 = Obesity II
    > 40 = Obesity III
     < 17 = Under nutrition

High B.M.I. are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (Coronary artery diseases, hypertension, enlarged heart) infertility, stroke, insulin resistance, polycystic ovary syndrome and certain types of cancers particularly those of reproductive system, gall bladder and colonic, orthopedic problems like knee / hip problems (osteoarthritis).

According to American Dietic Association, two obese parents, there is 80% chance for their siblings to be obese, 40% if one parent is obese and only 10% chance if both parents are lean. There is also 39% increase in obesity among teenagers in USA.

B.M.I. is good measurement of health risk for most of general population. People with lot of muscle mass like athletes may have high B.M.I., but are not at increased risk of health problems as they have more muscle mass rather than fat mass as in general population.

As we can’t change height in adults, lowering weight is the only way to reduce B.M.I.

(Height in CMS – 100) x 0.9 is ideal weight.

Yes, it is very important particularly in Asian Indians as it leads to a disease entity called “Syndrome x”.

Cut of value for waist circumference -      Men < 90cms
     Women < 80cms

Cut of value for waist – hip ratio
     Men - 0.88
     Women - 0.81