Institute for Weight Loss

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is an approximate measure of body fat based on your height and weight. It is important to remember that as a person’s BMI goes higher, this also increases the risk for diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and certain cancers.
However, it does not accurately measure body fat percentage. For example, athletes have a high muscle-fat ratio and may have a high BMI rating yet be in excellent health. Excess body fat is the main cause of weight-related diseases. Thus, it is important to talk to your doctor regarding your personal health condition.