The Body Mass Index or BMI is measure of body fat based on height & weight that applies to both adult men & women.
BMI does not differentiate between body fat & muscle mass. So, body builders & people who have a lot of muscle bulk will have a high BMI but will not be classified as overweight or obese.
Classification |
BMI |
| Underweight | <19 |
| Ideal BMI | 19 – 25 |
| Overweight | 25 – 30 |
| Obese | > 30 |
| Severely Obese | > 35 |
| Morbidly Obese | > 40 |
| Super Obese | > 50 |
An obese person can develop a certain body profile. There are Two different types of fat deposits. Fat predominantly distributed around the waist is also a risk factor for health complications such as cardiovascular disease & type II diabetes. Fat predominantly deposited around the hips & buttocks does not seem to carry this same risk level.
References
Victorian Government, Better Health Channel, available at http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Body_Mass_Index_(BMI)?opendocument
World Health Organisation, Global Database on Body Mass Index, available at http://apps.who.int/bmi/index.jsp?introPage=intro_3.html
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