What about Body Weight?
Being active and eating well will increase your potential for good health. There
is no one defined body size that fits everyone. Being underweight, overweight, or
obese increases a person’s risk for weight-related health problems. Health Canada
suggests using two body weight measurements, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference
(WC). These measurements work for most adults.
Waist Circumference
Have another person measure your waist. Mark a point midway between your lower rib
and the top of your hipbone. Place the measuring tape around your stomach starting
at this point. The tape should be resting against your skin, not pressing into it.
The tape should be parallel to the floor. Measure your waist circumference the same
way each time to see if there has been a change.
There is an increased risk of health problems for:
- Men with a WC greater than or equal to 102cm (40”)
- Women with a WC greater than or equal to 88cm (35”)
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Health Risk Classification According to Body Mass Index (BMI)
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Classification
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BMI Category
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Risk of developing health problems
|
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Underweight
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< 18.5
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Increased
|
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Normal Weight
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18.5 - 24.9
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Least
|
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Overweight
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25.0 - 29.9
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Increased
|
|
Obese class I
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30.0 - 34.9
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High
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Obese class II
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35.0 - 39.9
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Very high
|
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Obese class III
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>= 40.0
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Extremely high
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Even if the BMI of an individual is in the 'normal weight' range, a high WC
indicates some health risk.
Source: Body Mass Index (BMI) Nomogram, Health
Canada, 2003-09-19. Adapted and Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of
Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2008.