What is BMI?

BMI stands for Body Mass Index, a measurement that estimates whether your weight is in a healthy range for your height. It’s calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared.

Healthcare providers use BMI to help assess the risk of weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. It’s also one of the criteria used to determine eligibility for certain medical weight loss medications.

Limitations of BMI

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While BMI can be a helpful screening tool, it doesn’t consider:

• Age
• Sex
• Race or ethnicity
• Muscle vs. fat mass (body composition)

Because of these limitations, BMI is only one piece of the puzzle. Providers combine BMI results with other health factors—like medical history, lab results, and lifestyle—when diagnosing obesity and creating medication plans.

BMI Categories (Men & Women)

‍‍According to the CDC, the BMI ranges for adults are:

• Underweight: Less than 18.5
• Healthy Weight: 18.5 to <25
• Overweight: 25 to <30
• Obesity: 30 or greater

When BMI Qualifies You for Medical Weight Loss

For many weight loss medications, your BMI must meet certain thresholds:

Medication Type: Oral weight loss medications

• Qualifying BMI: Varies by provider; often ≥25 (or ≥23 with certain conditions)

‍Medication Type: Weight loss injections (e.g., GLP-1s)

• Qualifying BMI: ≥30, or ≥27 with at least one weight-related condition

‍Medication Type: Bariatric surgery

• Qualifying BMI: ≥40, or ≥35 with obesity-related conditions (some cases ≥30 with hard-to-control type 2 diabetes)

How to Lower BMI

If your BMI is in the overweight or obesity range, lowering it can reduce your risk for many chronic diseases. Strategies include:

• Lifestyle changes – Balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, stress management, and adequate sleep.
• Medical support – Prescription weight loss medications (including GLP-1 injections or oral medications like metformin) can help, especially when lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough.
• Long-term approach – Obesity is a chronic condition. Lasting results come from ongoing management rather than quick fixes.

BMI and Accuracy Concerns

BMI works well for identifying trends in large groups but isn’t always accurate for individuals.

• Muscular individuals may have a high BMI despite low body fat.
• Older adults may have normal BMI but higher body fat due to muscle loss.
• Women often find BMI less reflective of their health after menopause due to hormonal and metabolic changes.