What is your BMI?

What is Obesity?

Obesity has been recognized by the World Health Organization (W.H.O.), along with the National and International medical societies, as a chronic, progressive disease resulting from multiple environmental and genetic factors. The disease of obesity is extremely costly not only in terms of economics, but also in terms of individual and social health, longevity, and psychological well-being. Due to its progressive nature, obesity requires lifelong treatment. (ASMBS)

How is Obesity measured or defined?

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a better way to quantify or measure obesity and is considered a more accurate estimate of body fat. The BMI generally reflects the amount of body fat an adult has. The BMI does not take into account factors like muscle versus fat and does not reflect the importance of different types of fat within the body. However despite these limitations, the BMI is currently the most widely accepted measurement used by insurance companies when they evaluate your case for weight loss surgery coverage. The BMI takes into consideration an individual’s height (in meters) and weight (in kilograms) and can be determined using a BMI chart:

In general, patients have to have a BMI or 35 or greater to be a candidate for surgery.