Body Mass Index (BMI)
Your body mass index or BMI is based on your height and weight.
It's a quick screening tool to assess body fat and to determine if you're at a healthy weight for your height.
There are 2 types of body fat. The first is body fat which is located between your skin and the organs, which is known as subcutaneous fat. Secondly, there is visceral fat, which is located between the internal organs. This type of fat (visceral fat) has been linked to chronic diseases such as type II diabetes and heart disease.
If most of your fat is around your waist (abdomen) rather than at your hips, you’re at a higher risk for type II diabetes and heart disease.
Your risk goes up with a waist size that is greater than 40 inches for men or greater than 35 inches for women.
Your true waistline is the circumference around your abdomen measured at the level of the belly button.
To correctly measure your waist size, stand and place a tape measure around your abdomen at your umbilicus (belly button). Take the end of the tape measure around your back until the tape measure meets the starting tip. Measure your waist just after you breathe out or exhale.