What does this tool measure?
Click
here to find out whether your weight increases your health
risks
.
This interactive tool estimates your risk of weight-related diseases by using your body mass index (BMI) along with your waist measurement and other factors. BMI is an estimate of body fat. The higher the BMI, the greater the risk of some diseases, including high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, some cancers, and type 2 diabetes.
Health Tools
Health tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.
| Interactive tools are designed to help people determine health risks, ideal weight, target heart rate, and more. |
| Weight and health risks | |
What does your score mean?
Your score will appear as one of the following ranges:
- Healthy weight. Your weight alone does not put you at risk for serious health problems.
- Moderate risk. Your weight is one reason you are at moderate risk for serious health problems. Talk to your doctor about ways to lower your risk.
- High risk. Your weight is one reason you are at higher-than-normal risk for serious health problems that could shorten your life. Talk to your doctor about ways to lower your risk.
What's next?
If you are concerned about your score, talk to your doctor about developing a healthy lifestyle. For more information, see the topic Healthy Weight.
Source: U.S. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, U.S. 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.
References
Other Works Consulted
Purnell JQ (2005). Obesity. In DC Dale, DD Federman, eds., ACP Medicine, section 3, chap. 10. New York: WebMD.
Credits
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition |
| Last Updated | January 7, 2008 |
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS | Last Updated: January 7, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition | |
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