FAST FACTS

Health Education

Health educators are available to develop and present programming for various community groups on a variety of topics.  The health education division may also be able to provide educational materials, resources, and referrals upon request.  For more information, please contact us...

Office hours:  Monday thru Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Phone:  (910) 947-3300

Education Spotlight - August, 2008

Body Mass Index - BMI

• Body mass index, or BMI, is a number that is used to determine body fatness.  It is calculated from a person's weight and height.
• BMI is often used as a screening tool to determine if you're  overweight or obese, which in turn, could mean that you're at higher risk for certain health concerns.
• BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI correlates to direct measures of body fat, such as underwater weighing.
• Because calculation requires only height and weight, it is inexpensive and easy to use for clinicians and for the general public.

How Reliable is BMI as a Body Fat Indicator?

The correlation between the BMI number and body fatness is fairly strong; however the correlation varies by sex, race, and age. These variations include the following examples:

• At the same BMI, women tend to have more body fat than men.
• At the same BMI, older people, on average, tend to have more body fat than younger adults.
• Highly trained athletes may have a high BMI because of increased muscularity rather than increased body fatness.

What are the Health Consequences of Being Overweight or Obese?

Overweight and obese individuals are at a higher risk of developing certain diseases and health conditions, which include:

What's Your BMI?

You can find out what your BMI is by using the following BMI calculators provided by the CDC.

Adult BMI Calculator...

Child and Teen BMI Calculator...

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