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Health Matters

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Weights & Measures

Excess weight increases your risk for chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and some types of cancer and may also affect sleep patterns, self-esteem and overall mental well-being.

To determine if you’re at risk, calculate your body mass index or BMI. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 indicates a healthy weight. If your BMI* is higher than 24.9, you may be at risk.

There are other ways to determine if your weight results in higher disease risk. A waist circumference of 35 inches or greater in women and 40 inches is an indication of excess body fat composition. Follow the directions below for measuring your waist and use the chart to determine your overall risk of associated disease. Talk to your doctor about any concerns.

* BMI is not always accurate. Certain individuals including pregnant or breastfeeding women, competitive athletes, body builders or chronically ill patients should consult a healthcare provider.

Body Mass Index An indicator of overall body fatness, the body mass index or BMI is a formula that considers height and weight.

Do It Yourself

Example:

• Calculate your weight in kg: Divide your weight in pounds (lbs) by 2.2
  130lbs/2.2 = 59
• Calculate your height in meters²(m): Multiple your height in inches by 2.54, divide by 100, then square
  67 inches x 2.54 = 170.18 centimeters
  170.18 centimeters/100 = 1.7 meters
  1.7 x 1.7 meters = 2.89
• Calculate BMI: Body weight in kg divided by height in meters squared
  59/2.89 = 20.5, within a normal weight range

Calculate for Me

BMI calculators are relatively easy to find on the web. Just enter your height and weight and out with your BMI. Try the CDC’s BMI calculator.

View by Chart

To use the BMI chart, find your weight on the right hand column and draw a line across the page at this point. Then find your height on the top and draw a straight line from this point up to the bottom. Your BMI is where these two lines intersect. The shaded area will help you determine if you are within a normal range.

Waist circumference

To measure your waist circumference, place a tape measure around your stomach level with your bellybutton and just above your hips. Be sure the tape is snug, but not too tight. Take a deep breath, exhale and record in inches.

Are you at risk?

Diet and physical activity are important components of a healthy weight. Health matters suggests you Be Active and Eat Healthy to help control your weight.