The most common system for measuring obesity is the Body Mass Index (BMI), which represents the number of kilos per square meter of body surface, and can be easily calculated by dividing the weight of individuals by their height in square meters. Although the BMI does not actually measure body fat, it tends to relate well to the degree of obesity. Consequently, it should not be used by itself for diagnosis, though it can be useful as a general guide.

The calculation of the BMI cannot distinguish between body fat and muscle. This can lead to a very muscular person to be wrongly classified as obese. For this reason, your surgeon should study your case specifically.

In accordance with the weight classification in adults using the Body Mass Index (BMI), proposed by the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMS), overweight and obesity diagnosis are established based on the following parameters, indicating the level of risk associated to people’s health :