Things to know about BMI

BMI is a popular way to determine a healthy body weight, but it's only one indicator of your health. Here are the basics you need to know about BMI .

BMI , or body mass index, is used to determine a healthy body weight in relation to a particular height.

' When it comes to cancer risk, it's important to know your BMI ,' says Ann-Marie Hedberg, associate director of clinical nutrition at MD Anderson. ' For some types of cancer, there is a correlation between high BMI and increased risk .'

And while BMI is a popular metric, it's not the only factor to consider. " BMI doesn't always tell the whole story ," says Hedberg. Here's what you should know about BMI.

BMI is a tool

BMI is a scale that can help determine whether your weight is healthy for your height. Your BMI is calculated by dividing your weight by the square of your height.

When your BMI is high, you may have an underlying health problem.

If you have a higher BMI, you are more likely to develop health problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea, and osteoarthritis. Obesity is also linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, including esophageal, pancreatic, colorectal, breast, endometrial, and kidney cancers.

BMI doesn't tell the whole story

' It's important to remember that BMI is just one factor that determines your overall health ,' says Hedberg.

BMI should be considered along with other factors such as blood lipid levels and blood pressure to determine whether you are in good health. A high BMI does not always mean you are overweight.

In fact, people with very muscular physiques often have high BMIs, but do not have a high body fat percentage.

Talk to your doctor if you have a high (or low) BMI.

Since BMI is only one indicator of health, it's best to talk to your doctor if your BMI is considered overweight or underweight.

Seeing a specialist can help you determine if you have an underlying health problem. For example, sudden weight gain can be related to thyroid problems. In some cases, sudden weight changes can be a symptom of cancer.

' Don't rush into a new diet. There are many factors that influence weight ,' says Hedberg. ' It's not just food .'

A healthy lifestyle that includes goals for healthy body weight, fitness, and stress management will help you stay healthy.

Marvin Fry

Update 14 January 2025