Waist circumference and cardiometabolic risk: a consensus statement from shaping America's health : Association for Weight Management and Obesity Prevention; NAASO, the Obesity Society; the American Society for Nutrition; and the American Diabetes Association

Obesity is an important risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and coronary heart disease (CHD). Several leading national and international institutions, including the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health, have provided guidelines for classifying weight status based on body mass index (BMI; in kg/m super(2)). Data from epidemiologic studies demonstrate a direct correlation between BMI and the risk of medical complications and mortality rate. Men and women who have a BMI greater than or equal to 30 are considered obese and are generally at higher risk for adverse health events than are those who are considered overweight (BMI between 25.0 and 29.9) or lean (BMI between 18.5 and 24.9). Therefore, BMI has become the gold standard for identifying patients at increased risk of adiposity-related adverse health outcomes.