BMI

Body mass index is measure of overweight and obesity. It is a calculation based on ones height to weight ratio.

BMI aims to estimate body fat content and consequentially infer risk of obesity related disease.

The BMI is a useful measure of metabolic health and obesity however it does have limitations particularly in certain groups. 

• It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build
• It may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle mass

Another important consideration is assessing ones risk associated with obesity waist circumference.

A waist circumference greater than 90cm for women and greater than 100cm for men confers a high risk of obesity related disease.