Likewise, a person of normal weight on the BMI scales may still be overfat and at risk of weight-related diseases. Using body fat percentage, we might find that a highly trained athlete is overweight, according to theīMI, but not overfat. While BMI is a rough estimate of body fat, body fat percentage is a more accurate number. Body fat percentage distinguishes fat from muscle and calculates the percentage of body fat in the body. Research on body fat percentage has improved in recent years, and in some cases, this measurement may provide a better picture of an individual’s risk of weight-related diseases than BMI. A person who has normal weight obesity is just as unhealthy as someone with a high BMI. According to some research, more than half of Americans have a normal BMI but a high body fat percentage, which is known as normal weight obesity. The limitation of BMI is that this measurement does not distinguish fat from muscle. (To determine your BMI, click here.) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide the following ranges for BMI values for adults:

As BMI increases, so does the risk of developing these and other weight-related diseases, including stroke and some cancers.īMI is a measurement of body fat based on height. BMI is used to assess risk for diseases, especially heart disease and diabetes. Body mass index (BMI) and body fat are both measurements used to determine a person's level of personal fitness and gauge their risk for conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.īut what are the differences between these two measurements? Let's take a look.īody mass index, or BMI, has been touted as the most accurate way to determine the effect of a person’s body weight on his or her health. There are more ways to measure a person's fitness than just stepping on a scale.

Bmi calculator men vs women