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Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
Body mass index (BMI)
Body mass index (BMI) is a number based on a person's weight and height that provides a way to estimate the effect of weight on health. 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.
To calculate exact BMI, one of the following equations is used:
- The person's weight in pounds and height in inches: BMI = (pounds x 700) divided by (inches squared)
- The person's weight in kilograms and height in meters: BMI = kilograms divided by (meters squared)
| By | Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator |
| Last Revised | January 14, 2010 |
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: January 14, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator |
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