What your BMI means for your heart health

The most reliable indicator of how much body fat you have is the body mass index, or BMI.  It is helpful to know your BMI, even if you know you're overweight, in order to track weight-loss progress.

• Calculate your BMI by multiplying your weight in pounds by 703.
• Next, divide that by your height in inches squared.
• Consult the information below to find out which weight category you fall into.

The following information will help you find out what exactly your BMI means for you, specifically where it places you in terms of your risk of heart problems.

• A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy. For example, the maximum healthy weight of someone who is 1.7 metres (5 feet, 7 inches) tall — male or female — would be around 154 pounds.
•  If your BMI is between 25 and 29.9, you are officially overweight — meaning you weigh more than you should do based on your age, sex and height. You are more likely to have high blood pressure and are at moderate risk of cardiovascular disease.
• If your BMI is over 30, you are clinically obese and storing far too much fat. You have a high risk of coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attacks and strokes.
•  A BMI of 40 or more is classed as very or "morbidly" obese, signalling a very high risk of cardiovascular disease and other complications.

• If you are overweight or obese with a BMI of 25 or more, a waist measurement of more than 80 centimetres (32 inches) if you're female or 97 centimetres (37 inches) if you're male, or a waist-to-hip ratio above 0.80 (women) or 0.90 (men), you will experience clear health benefits by losing weight.
• If you are obese or close to, it is worth talking to your doctor to see if you can get help to do this.