Healthy living 
BMI for Life!
Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to determine of a person is maintaining a healthy weight.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 1 in 5 American adults are now considered obese, and more than half of all Americans are overweight. Since the early 1960s, the percent of overweight American adults has increased from 45 percent to 65 percent.
Determine if you are overweight by using the formula to calculate your BMI
To determine BMI, you need to do a little math, using the following formula:
Weight (in pounds) / Height (in inches) x Height (in inches) x 703 = BMI
For example, say a person is 5’7” (67 inches tall) and weighs 140 pounds:
BMI = 140/(67x67) x 703 = 21.9
Are you maintaining a healthy weight? For adults, a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 indicates a healthy weight. A person with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, and a person with a BMI over 30 is considered obese.
To achieve and maintain a healthy weight, the surgeon general suggests three simple steps:
1. Be active:
• Keep physically active to balance the calories you consume.
• Be physically active for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
2. Eat well:
• Select sensible portion sizes of nutritious food.
• Follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines).
3. Aim for a healthy weight:
• If you’re overweight or obese, losing just 10 percent of your body weight can improve your health.
• If you need to lose weight, do so gradually—one-half to 2 pounds a week.
BMI for Life!
Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to determine of a person is maintaining a healthy weight.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 1 in 5 American adults are now considered obese, and more than half of all Americans are overweight. Since the early 1960s, the percent of overweight American adults has increased from 45 percent to 65 percent.
Determine if you are overweight by using the formula to calculate your BMI
To determine BMI, you need to do a little math, using the following formula:
Weight (in pounds) / Height (in inches) x Height (in inches) x 703 = BMI
For example, say a person is 5’7” (67 inches tall) and weighs 140 pounds:
BMI = 140/(67x67) x 703 = 21.9
Are you maintaining a healthy weight? For adults, a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 indicates a healthy weight. A person with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, and a person with a BMI over 30 is considered obese.
To achieve and maintain a healthy weight, the surgeon general suggests three simple steps:
1. Be active:
• Keep physically active to balance the calories you consume.
• Be physically active for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
2. Eat well:
• Select sensible portion sizes of nutritious food.
• Follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines).
3. Aim for a healthy weight:
• If you’re overweight or obese, losing just 10 percent of your body weight can improve your health.
• If you need to lose weight, do so gradually—one-half to 2 pounds a week.
