Having a BMI of 30 or greater can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and lowering your BMI is associated with a decreased risk, so reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is important. Even losing a small amount of weight is beneficial. Losing just 5-10% of your current weight can prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes in 6 out of 10 people.
A BMI of between 25.0 and 29.9 is categorised as overweight and a BMI of 30.0 and above is classified as obese.
Body Mass Index Chart
| Category | BMI (kg/m2) | BMI Prime | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| from | to | from | to | |
| Very severely underweight | 15 | 0.60 | ||
| Severely underweight | 15 | 16 | 0.60 | 0.64 |
| Underweight | 16 | 18.5 | 0.64 | 0.74 |
| Normal (healthy weight) | 18.5 | 25 | 0.74 | 1.0 |
| Overweight | 25 | 30 | 1.0 | 1.2 |
| Obese Class I (Moderately obese) | 30 | 35 | 1.2 | 1.4 |
| Obese Class II (Severely obese) | 35 | 40 | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| Obese Class III (Very severely obese) | 40 | 1.6 |