Information for Patients
Body Mass Index or BMI is one of the critieria used to determine if a person is a candidate for weight loss surgery. Your BMI is used as a relative measure, that is, how much you body weight departs from what is generally considered normal or desirable for your height. Although not perfect, BMI as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) is a generally accepted comparative metric to determine if a person is normal weight, overweight, or obese.
BMI is calculated by dividing a person's mass by the square of his or her height, typically expressed either in US "customary"/Imperial or metric units:
BMI Classification1 |
BMI Range |
Underweight |
< 18.5 |
Normal Weight |
18.5 – 24.9 |
Overweight |
25 – 30 |
Obese Class I |
30.1 – 34.9 |
Obese Class II |
35 – 40 |
Obese Class III |
> 40 |
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As BMI increases and excess fat in the mid-section is present, the risk for some diseases increases. A BMI of 35 or greater is clinically severe obesity - at which point serious medical conditions such as premature death, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, some cancers and diabetes can occur.
A BMI > 35 means you are a candidate for weight loss surgery as medical treatment for obesity. You may also qualify for weight loss surgery as medical treatment with a BMI >30 if co-morbidities are present.
What is your BMI?
Use the handy calculator below.
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BMI: |
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Calculate your Body Mass Index
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