What does this tool help you learn?

This tool estimates your risk for getting weight-related diseases. It uses your body mass index (BMI) along with your waist measurement (Figure 1) and other factors. The higher the BMI, the greater the risk of some diseases, such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, some cancers, and type 2 diabetes.

Being aware of your risk can help you think about whether you might want to make some changes to help lower that risk.

U.S. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, U.S. National Institutes of Health (2000). "The Practical Guide: Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults." (NIH Publication No. 00-4084). Available online: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/prctgd_c.pdf.

Figure 1 - Waist Measurement

Waist circumference (distance around the waist) is a common measure used to check for fat held around the stomach. Having extra body fat around the stomach-more than 88 cm (35 in.) for women and more than 102 cm (40 in.) for men-increases your risk of heart disease and diabetes.

How to measure waist circumference: Place a tape measure around your body at the top of your hip bone. This is usually at the level of your belly button.

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.