What is BMI?

Body Mass Index, or BMI, is the most commonly used way of assessing whether someone is obese. BMI measures the relationship between weight and height. An ideal BMI ranges from 19-25. Between 25 and 30 is overweight, and 30-35 is obese. A BMI of 35-40 is considered to be severely obese. At 40 and above, obesity is considered “morbid.” In medical terms, “morbid” means related to health problems or illness. BMIs over 40 are called “morbid” because the excess weight causes symptoms like joint pain and shortness of breath, and illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure. BMIs between 35-40 are considered morbid if there is an obesity-related illness present.

BMI of 19 – 25 is considered “ideal”.

BMI of 25 – 20 is considered “overweight” and indicates consideration of conventional weight loss techniques like reducing calories.

BMI of 30 – 35 is considered “obese” and indicates consideration of minimally-invasive procedures including the weight loss balloon or Aspire Assist.

BMI of 35 – 40 is considered “severely obese” and indicates consideration of procedures like a weight loss balloon, Aspire Assist. Surgery may also be considered if an obesity-related illness is present.

BMI of 40 and above is  considered “morbidly obese” and indicates consideration of bariatric surgery.

How common is obesity?
65% of adults in the U.S. are overweight, and 31% are obese (an 8% increase in the last ten years). In the last ten years, the average BMI in the U.S. population has increased from 24.9 to 26.5. For persons with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or above, mortality rates from all causes, and especially from cardiovascular disease, are generally increased by 50 to 100 percent above that of persons with BMIs in the ideal range. Soon, obesity will replace tobacco and smoking as the number one preventable health problem in the United States.

For more information on the Surgery Weight Loss Program please contact us.