• Over 1.3million people in the UK are considered morbidly obese

• Body Mass Index (BMI) is most commonly used as a guide as to whether someone is obese. It is a ratio of weight and height (kg/m2)

       

        o BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m) ÷height (m)

        o For example, weight 126kg (19.5 stone), height 1.60m (5’4”),
          126kg ÷ 1.60m ÷1.60m = 49

BMI Calculator

Please enter your weight and height (in imperial or metric) in the boxes below, then press the "Calculate BMI" button

Weight		st		lb	=		kg
Height		ft		in	=		m

Your BMI =

0

[With thanks to Dr Ian Sidwell, Somerset Obesity Service]

BMI range	Weight class	Health risk
BMI 20-25	Normal weight	Normal
BMI 25-30	Overweight	Moderate health risk
BMI 30+	Clinically obese	High health risk
BMI 40+	Morbidly obese	Very high health risk
BMI 50+	Super obese	Extremely high health risk

• A BMI over 40 is considered morbidly obese or a BMI over 35 along with other obesity related conditions such as those mentioned in table below

• Another way to calculate being overweight is by your waist measurement. Risks increase with a waist measurement of over 40 inches (102cm) in men and over 35 inches (88cm) in women

Health risks associated with obesity

Greatly increased risk	Moderately increased risk	Slightly increased risk
Type 2 diabetes	Heart disease	Some cancers
Gallbladder disease	Hypertension	Reproductive abnormalities
Insulin resistance	Osteoarthritis	Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Breathlessness	Gout	Impaired fertility
Sleep apnoea		Low back pain
High cholesterol		Anaesthetic complications

                                                                                                  (Department of Health 2006)