The easiest way to find out if you should be concerned about your weight is to determine your Body Mass Index or BMI. It is a number, usually between 16 and 40 that is calculated from your height and weight. The higher your BMI, the greater your risk.

The BMI categories are: Healthy Weight, Moderately Overweight and Severely Overweight. These categories are based on the government's 1998 Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults.

Healthy Weight: Index Number 19-25

Moderately Overweight: Index Number 25-29

Serverely Overweight: Index Number 30 or Higher

BMI values apply to both men and women, regardless of their frame size or muscle mass. Please note the following exceptions.

BMI doesn't work for:

• Anyone less than 18 years old
• Competitive athletes or body builders
• Pregnant or nursing women
• Frail or sedentary elderly persons

If your BMI indicates that you are either Moderately Over Weight or Severely Over Weight, you need to start and maintain a healthy lifestyle as advocated in The Healthy Heart Miracle. Follow this plan and you will see your BMI drop to a healthy weight.