Assess Your Body Weight
Below are some helpful measures to help you determine the health risks associated with your current weight.
Body Mass Index | Body shape | Waist to hip ratio | Waist Circumference | Associated health problems | Contributing factors
Body Mass Index
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure used by health professionals to estimate the health risks associated with your weight.
BMI compares your weight with your height.
To calculate your BMI and find out your health risks visit the helpful links section of this website.
You can also use the BMI calculator to determine a healthy weight for you. Set this to be your long term goal. But remember to achieve this weight, lifestyle changes must be:
- realistic
- achievable
- able to be maintained for the long-term.
Aim for a healthy weight loss of 0.5-1kg per week to achieve your long term goal.
Body shape
Recent research has shown that the location of excess body fat can be linked with higher health risks.
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Apple shape
People with excess body fat surrounding the abdomen or stomach (called abdominal obesity) carry higher health risk -
Pear shape
People with excess body fat on the hips, thighs and buttocks carries lower health risk
Waist to hip ratio
The waist to hip ratio (WHR) can identify abdominal obesity. You can determine you WHR by dividing your waist measurement (cm) by your hip measurement (cm).
A WHR greater than:
- 0.9 for men
- 0.8 for women
Indicates an increased health risk
Waist Circumference
Your body weight or BMI is not the only way to identify if you are at risk of weight related health problems. Where fat is found on your body can indicate your risk of developing health related problems.
People who store most of their body fat around the waist (abdominal fat) have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
The correct place to measure your waist is horizontally halfway between your lowest rib and the top of your hipbone. This is roughly in line with your belly button. Make sure the measuring tape is snug, but not squeezing the skin.
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Check you risk using the tool below: |
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Associated health problems
Overweight and obesity are risk factors for other diseases such as:
- diabetes
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- high blood cholesterol levels
- gall bladder disease
- some cancers
- arthritis
Contributing factors
There are many factors that contribute to weight gain including:
- eating more food
- eating food higher in energy (kilojoules)
- weight loss and regain (yo-yo dieting)
- following restrictive weight loss diets (for further information see Fad Diets)
- being less physically active
- genetics
The number of Australians who are overweight or obese is increasing. The 1995 National Nutrition Survey shows:
- 29% of women (>19 years) are overweight
- 45% of men (>19 years) are overweight
- 18% of both men and women can be classified as obese
In addition, it is estimated that:
- 5.3% of children (9-15 years) are overweight
- a further 10% of children (9-15 years) are at risk of overweight
There is also evidence to suggest that an overweight child has greater risk of becoming an overweight adult than a healthy weight child.
