Often, people feel they need to lose a drastic amount of weight, when in fact their weight is at a healthy level.

The best advice is to visit your Physician who can perform a complete physical and let you know if he or she has any concerns with your weight. Often, we can have a misguided image as to what is healthy weight due to the extreme slim images we are bombarded with in the media each day. In fact, the average North American women are five feet 4 inches and weighs 138 pounds.

Consider taking your body mass index (BMI), which can help you determine if your weight is within a healthy range. Below is a BMI chart and directions on how to determine your own BMI.

· The chart on the next page has completed the math formulas and metric conversions. To use this table, find your appropriate height in inches in the left hand column. Most across the row to the given weight. The number at the top of the column is your BMI for your height and weight.

o If your BMI is less than 19, you are considered underweight, which can have negative health implications.

o If your BMI is 19-24.9, you’re in the normal range.

o If your BMI is 25 – 29.9, you are considered overweight and have an increased risk of associated disease.

o If your BMI is 30 – 34.9, you are considered in the obese range and have a high risk of associated disease.

o If your BMI is 35 – 39.9, you are considered in the obese range and have a very high risk of associated disease.

o If your BMI is over 40, you are classified as obese with an extremely high risk of associated disease.

Body Mass Index