What is the Body Mass Index?

BMI (Body Mass Index). What Does It Mean?

What Does the BMI Reading Mean?


The BMI reading is currently the quickest and easiest way to measure the degree of overweight or obesity from which you may be suffering,. By simply entering your height and weight you can get a great idea of your current weight status. The BMI is the preliminary qualifying criterion for weight loss surgery with general guidelines as follows:

BMI of over 40:
Morbid obesity. Most patients will qualify for any bariatric surgical procedure regardless of diseases associated with obesity

BMI of 35-39.9
Obesity. Patients with one or more diseases associated with obesity may qualify for any bariatric surgery procedure

BMI of 30-34.9
Obesity. Patients with one or more diseases associated with morbid obesity may qualify for Lap-Band® surgery but will not be eligible for stapled procedures

BMI of 25-29.9
Overweight. You will not qualify for bariatric surgery, however you may consider a medical weight loss program to return to a normal weight

BMI of 18.5-24.9
Normal Weight. Congratulations! Keep up the good work


What Does the BMI Reading Mean?


For all the usefulness that your BMI offers, there are also several important considerations to take into account when interpreting the results. Most importantly, you should know that obesity and even morbid obesity, according to your BMI, does not necessarily mean that you will qualify for surgery. In fact, there are several pre-operative tests that you will undergo to make sure that your medical condition is conducive to surgery.

Further, the BMI is simply a general tool and should not be relied on to give you an exact reading. The number you see does not reflect body composition (muscle is heavier than fat) and does not differentiate by gender, which can make for a slightly different reading between men and women. The BMI does not account for age – as we get older, our body composition and muscle mas changes.

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