Use of Height and Weight Assessment Tools
Nancie H. Herbold & Sari Edelstein
In the past, to determine if an individual was over- or underweight, clinicians consulted the Metropolitan Life Insurance Weight for Height Tables. These tables considered sex and frame size to determine desirable weight associated with greater life expectancy. Today, the preferred method for assessing body weight is the use of body mass index (BMI). Body mass index is more closely related to body fat content than the Metropolitan Tables. To determine BMI for either a man or a woman, body weight in kilograms is divided by height in meters squared.
BMI = Weight (kg)
Height (m)²
or
BMI = Weight (lbs) <mult. symbol> 703
Height (inches)²
For ease, Table 1 is provided to make the BMI calculation unnecessary. To use the table, find the appropriate height in the left-hand column. Move across to a given weight; pounds have been rounded. The number at the top of the column is the BMI for that height and weight, corresponding designations for normal, overweight, obese, and extremely obese BMI levels.
BMI is a tool for assessing body weight, but it is not without its limitations. For example, BMI does not totally differentiate between weight that is muscle and weight that is fat. Therefore, an athlete in good physical shape may have a high BMI but not high body fat. (Table 2, explained below, can be utilized for athletic individuals.)
Interpretation
Both BMI, shown in Table 1, and waist circumference (WC), shown in Table 2, can be useful measures for determining obesity. According to the National Institutes of Health, a high WC is associated with an increased risk for Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease when BMI is between 25 and 34.9. A BMI greater than 25 is considered overweight, and a BMI greater than 30 is considered obese. Additionally, WC can be useful for those people categorized as normal or overweight in terms of BMI. For example, an athlete with increased muscle mass may have a BMI greater than 25. Changes in WC over time can indicated an increase or decrease in abdominal fat. Increased abdominal fat is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. To use Table 2 for athletic individuals, convert the weight in pounds by dividing by a factor of 2.2 to equal the weight in kilograms (kg).
Waist Circumference
To determine your WC, locate your waist and measure the circumference. The tape measure should be snug, but should not cause compressions on the skin. Table 2, following, should be helpful in determining the possible risks associated with your BMI and WC.
References, Readings, & Internet Sites
National Institutes of Health. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2003). Clinical guidelines on identification, evaluation and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults: The evidence report: Retrieved 2004 from
National Research Council. (1989). Diet and health: Implications for reducing chronic disease risk. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2003). Center for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity. BMI: Body Mass Index. See also Web site that calculates BMI: