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| BMI Risk Explanation |
| Men |
Women |
Risk |
| <20.7 |
<19.1 |
Underweight. The lower the BMI, the greater the risk. |
| 20.7 to 26.4 |
19.1 to 25.8 |
Normal. Very low risk. |
| 26.4 to 27.8 |
25.8 to 27.3 |
Marginally overweight, some risk. |
| 27.8 to 31.1 |
27.3 to 32.2 |
Overweight, moderate risk. |
| 31.1 to 45.4 |
32.3 to 44.8 |
Severe overweight, high risk. |
| >45.4 |
>44.8 |
Morbid obesity, very high risk. |
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A BMI lower than 18.5 is considered underweight and will increase risk for malnutrition, nutrient deficiencies, osteoporosis, and possible shrinkage of vital organs, the lower the BMI, the greater the risk.A BMI between 27 and 31 places the individual at moderate risk and over 31 places the individual at a high risk for disease, the higher the BMI, the higher the risk. Weight related diseases include hypertension, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, gallbladder disease and respiratory disease.
A downside of using the BMI to determine a healthy body weight is that it only considers weight and height and does not consider individual body composition. Those individuals with greater muscle mass will typically weigh more on the scale, but may not necessarily be overweight. Muscle is very dense, and therefore weighs more than fat, so despite a larger number on the scale, and a higher BMI (body mass index), this doesn't necessarily put them at risk.
If you consider yourself a muscular person, and most likely have a lower body fat percentage, the BMI may not be an ideal tool for you.
Find out more about how MDdiets can help you meet your goals and achieve better health.
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