BMI and Health Risks

If you have a high BMI (23 kg/m² and above), you have an increased risk of developing:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Certain cancers
• Osteoarthritis

If your BMI is below 18.5 kg/m², you are at risk for:

• Nutritional deficiency diseases
• Osteoporosis

BMI Chart

BMI	Health Risks
27.5 & Above	High risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes.
23 - 27.4	Moderate risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes.
18.5 - 22.9	Healthy range
Below 18.5	Risk of nutritional deficiency and osteoporosis.

Note: BMI does not apply to children, the elderly, pregnant and nursing women, and people with muscular build e.g. athletes and body builders.