Body measurements
Body mass index (BMI)
Included in Baseline and Complete, measured during at-home visits.
Compare membershipsWeight and height, combined into one screening number.
BMI is calculated from your weight and height (weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared). It's a simple screening measure that helps estimate weight-related health risk across large groups of people.
BMI is a useful starting point with real limits.
BMI can't tell muscle from fat or show where fat sits on the body. Canada's adult obesity guideline advises health professionals not to rely on BMI alone to predict an individual's health risk.
That's why it's paired with your waist size. Combining BMI with waist measures gives a better sense of risk than BMI alone. Height, weight, and waist are measured by your phlebotomist at home visits only.
BMI is a starting point. Your waist adds where the weight sits.
Questions
Why is my BMI high when I'm fit?
BMI counts all weight the same way, so people with a lot of muscle can have a high BMI with little excess fat. Your waist size and blood results help show whether a higher BMI is linked with metabolic risk for you.
Does BMI work the same for everyone?
No. The link between BMI and health risk varies with age, sex, and ethnicity, and some groups face higher metabolic risk at a lower BMI. A clinician can interpret yours in context.