<unk>  is a mathematic calculation that provides a measure for assessing the health risks associated with body weight. Numerous research studies confirm that body size below and particularly above a defined range increases the risk for health problems such as HEART DISEASE, as well as DIABETES and cancer.
The<unk>  <unk>  provides a representation of body fat; the greater amount of body fat a person has, the higher the health risks. Health experts consider excess body weight from body fat the leading modifiable RISK FACTOR FOR HEART DISEASE.
The<unk>  Reference Chart gives whole value<unk>  figures by height and weight. Find height in inches in the left column, move across the row to closest weight, and read the<unk>  across the top row. For example, a person who is five-feet nine-inches tall is 69 inches. At a weight of 155 the<unk>  is 23. A person who is the same 69 inches tall but weighs 215 pounds has a<unk>  of about 32. Men and women of the same height and weight have the same<unk> .
A healthy<unk>  is 18.5 to 24.9. This reflects a ratio between weight and height that presents no
greater than the typical risks of health problems.
A<unk>  below 18.5 reflects an increased risk of health problems associated with being underweight.
A<unk>  from 25 to 29.9 reflects body weight that is 10-15% above what is healthy and double the risk for hypertension.
A<unk>  over 30 reflects body weight that is 20% or more above healthy weight and 2-6 times the risk for cardiovascular disease of any kind.
A<unk>  over 35 reflects nearly certain health problems related to obesity, most of which are cardiovascular such as hypertension, HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA or HYPERLIPIDEMIA, CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE, and HEART FAILURE.
Some people are in between the whole number<unk>  figures, are at the border between health risk
classifications, or are not on the chart. In such situations, it is more effective to calculate the precise<unk>  by following these steps:
• Determine body weight in pounds (without clothing)
• Measure height in inches
• Multiply height in inches by itself (gives height in square inches)
• Divide body weight in pounds by height in square inches
• Multiply the answer by 703
• Result is<unk> <unk>  is one of numerous health indicators. People with<unk> s in the “healthy weight” range can still have hypertension, coronary artery disease, and other cardiovascular conditions. Conversely, people with<unk> s in ranges associated with increased risk for heart disease can have healthy cardiovascular systems.<unk>  is not accurate for certain people—athletes with high muscle<unk> , pregnant women, people under age 18, and the very elderly. However, the correlation between<unk>  and cardiac health is strong. Body weight, or more appropriately body fat, is a modifiable risk factor.
To the extent possible, it is desirable for cardiovascular health (and health overall) to manage weight through nutrition, diet, and physical activity to maintain a<unk>  in the “healthy weight” range.
Body mass index
Body volume index
Obesity
Body fat percentage
Sedentary lifestyle
Human height
Pregnancy category
Ethnic group