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Healthy Weight

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For our purposes in the determination of healthy weights, we will use two criteria:

• BMI score of 18.5 – 24.9 (The BMI is a measure of your weight relative to your height.)
• waist circumference of less than 36 inches for women and less than 40 inches for men. 

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), BMI is a reliable indicator of total body fat, which is related to the risk of disease and death. The score is valid for both men and women but it does have some limits.

The limits are:

• It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build.
• It may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle mass.

Use the BMI calculator or tables to estimate your total body fat.

Determine your waist circumference by placing a measuring tape snugly around your waist. It is a good indicator of your abdominal fat which is another predictor of your risk for developing risk factors for heart disease and other diseases. This risk increases with a waist measurement of over 40 inches in men and over 35 inches in women.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005

USDA has released the MyPyramid food guidance system (www.mypyramid.gov ). Along with the new MyPyramid symbol, the system provides many options to help Americans make healthy food choices and to be active every day.

MyPyramid Tracker is an online dietary and physical activity assessment tool that provides information on your diet quality, physical activity status, related nutrition messages, and links to nutrient and physical activity information. The Food Calories/Energy Balance feature automatically calculates your energy balance by subtracting the energy you expend from physical activity from your food calories/energy intake. Use of this tool helps you better understand your energy balance status and enhances the link between good nutrition and regular physical activity. MyPyramid Tracker translates the principles of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and other nutrition standards developed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services.