Body mass index

Q With so much attention being paid to weight these days, I've noticed that doctors are putting more focus on the Body Mass Index (BMI). What exactly is it?

R.N., Minneapolis

A You are correct about more attention being paid to patients' weight because doctors say more than 300,000 U.S. lives could be saved if everyone maintained a healthy weight. Experts consider BMI a better way to assess whether a person is at a healthy weight.

The BMI estimates how much a person should weigh, based on that person's height. To calculate your BMI, you should multiply your weight in pounds by 703; divide that answer by your height in inches; divide that answer by your height in inches again. For example, a man who weighs 155 pounds and is 68 inches tall has a BMI of 23.5, which puts him in the "healthy" category.

Medical experts say if your BMI is below 18.5, you're underweight; 18.5 to 24.9, you're healthy; 25.0 to 29.9, you're overweight; 30.0 to 39.9, you're obese; and if your BMI is over 40, you're morbidly obese.

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