What is Your BMI

BMI stands for “body mass index.” It uses your height and your weight to measure your total body fat, and your BMI number is often used as a guideline to determine whether you are a candidate for bariatric surgery.

Your BMI is also related to your risk of developing or dying from a weight-related disease, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and some cancers.

While BMI is generally a good measure for defining healthy or overweight men and women, it can sometimes overestimate body fat if you have a muscular build or underestimate body fat if you are older or have lost muscle.

Measure your total body fat with our easy interactive tool, by using our BMI calculator to determine your own BMI:

A quick guide to your BMI number:

• Normal Body Weight: 18.5 to 24.9
• Overweight: 25.0 to 29.9
• Obese: 30.0 and above

You are considered to be eligible for weight loss surgery if your BMI is:

• between 35 and 39.9, and you have other weight-related health problems
• equal to or above 40

If you have questions about your BMI or would like to discuss whether weight loss surgery could be a good option or you, contact bariatric surgeon Dr. A. Enrique Whittwell at our Miami, Florida office at (305) 665-0100 or request an appointment online today. We also encourage you to attend one of our free weight loss surgery seminars for a thorough overview of the types of bariatric surgery we offer.