Self Assessment Toolkit
Measuring your Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference are simple checks that can tell how much body fat you have and where it is located on your body.
Excessive body fat has been associated with a greater risk of developing serious health conditions and chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and some cancers.
Overweight and obesity are measured using the Body Mass Index.
BMI is based on a person’s weight and height, and serves as a guide to check for a person’s risk of disease.
The BMI should be used as a guide as some people won't fit into the BMI categories such as muscular people, some ethnic groups, infants, children and adolescents.
Calculate your BMI using the formula below.
Check where your BMI sits in the table below.
BMI = weight (kg) / height (m2)
BMI range | Classification | Perspective |
| 18.5 or less | Underweight | People in this range may not be meeting their nutritional requirements and be at risk of malnutrition. Maintaining a healthy weight is important to support normal body functioning. Consult an Accredited Practising Dietitian to check your diet and nutrition needs, and help you maintain a healthier weight. |
| 18.5 – 25 | Healthy weight | People in this range have been found to have less health problems and chronic diseases, so you are off to a good start with your health. It is important to maintain your healthy weight. The quality of your diet can also affect your health. One of the greatest impacts you can have on your health is to improve the quality of your diet. You can get your diet assessed by an Accredited Practising Dietitian. |
| 25 – 30 | Overweight | People in this range have been found to have a significantly increase risk of developing health problems and chronic diseases. Reducing your weight by just a few kilograms can significantly reduce your risk of developing such health problems. An Accredited Practising Dietitian can help you find ways to reduce your weight and keep it off. |
| 30 and above | Obese | People in this range have been found to have a greatly increased risk of developing health problems and chronic diseases. Reducing your weight by just a few kilograms can significantly reduce your risk of developing such health problems. An Accredited Practising Dietitian can help you find set realistic and achievable weight loss goals, and support you to maintain a healthier weight for life. |
Waist circumference tells us where the body fat is located on the body. Excessive body fat concentrated around the abdominal area has been associated with greater risk of developing serious health conditions and chronic diseases. |
| Increased risk: Women: Greater than 80 centimetres Men: Greater than 94 centimetres | Greatly increased risk: Women: Greater than 88 centimetres Men: Greater than 104 centimetres |
If your waist circumference is greater than the ranges above seek the advice of an Accredited Practising Dietitian to help you decrease your risk of developing poor health. |
Screening for risk factors is important to help you prevent health problems. Identifying the problem and increasing awareness is the first step. The next step is to take action and improve your health. |
Check your nutritional needs.
Seek an Accredited Practising Dietitian
