BMI West Ashley Charleston SC - What the Numbers Mean | Hope Integrative Medicine
November 3, 2026 · 1:33
What body mass index is, how to find yours with CDC's adult calculator, what the BMI categories and obesity classes mean, what BMI does not tell you, and what to do with your number.
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Transcript
BMI: what it is, what the numbers mean and why it matters. Here are three things to know. BMI stands for body mass index. It compares your weight with your height. You do not need to do the math: CDC's Adult BMI Calculator works it out for adults 20 and older. CDC calls BMI a quick, safe and reliable screening measure, a first check that helps decide whether to look more closely. It is not a diagnosis. CDC uses four categories for adults. A BMI below 18.5 is underweight. From 18.5 to 24.9 is a healthy weight. From 25 to 29.9 is overweight, and 30 or higher is obesity. Obesity has three classes, and class 3, a BMI of 40 or higher, is called severe obesity. BMI is a starting point, not the whole picture. It does not tell fat from muscle, or show where you carry fat. A waist of more than 40 inches for men, or more than 35 inches for women, raises risk. The good news: health professionals recommend losing 5% to 10% of your starting weight over about 6 months, and even 3% to 5% can lower blood sugar and triglycerides. Read the full article at hopeintegrativemed.com, and ask about your BMI and waist at your next visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
CDC's Adult BMI Calculator is meant for adults 20 and older. Children and teens use a different calculator.
CDC splits obesity into three classes. Class 2 is a BMI of 35 to 39.9.
No. CDC calls BMI a quick, safe and reliable screening measure. It is not meant to diagnose disease or illness and should be considered along with other factors.
