However, people who are hospitalized for AN often have an extreme BMI, but with a wide range, potentially varying from the 15 threshold to very extreme values, even below 10.
BMI 13-16 (Medium Risk)
The presenting complaint requires medical care. However the decision to admit is less clear cut and will depend on the clinical judgment of the ER physician, family distress and age of the patient. Inpatient care or outpatient referral to an eating disorder secondary program is recommended.
There are also different tiers of anorexia based on BMI ranging from mild (<17.5), moderate (16-16.99), and severe (15-15.99), to extreme (<15). A BMI below 13.5 can lead to organ failure, while a BMI below 12 can be life-threatening.
For women and men, the following BMI ranges indicate your weight status: 18 or lower: underweight. 18.5 to 24.9: normal, healthy weight. 25 to 29.9: overweight.
A body mass index of anything under 18.5 is considered underweight and can have potential health consequences, just like a BMI that's considered obesity. Speak with your doctor if you have a BMI of 16 because this is dangerously low.
If your BMI is below 20: Under Weight
If you are not an athlete, a lean BMI can indicate that your weight may be too low, which may lower your immunity. If your BMI and body weight are low, you should consider gaining weight through good diet and exercise habits, to increase your muscle mass.
If your BMI is less than 18.5, it falls within the underweight range. If your BMI is 18.5 to 24.9, it falls within the Healthy Weight range. If your BMI is 25.0 to 29.9, it falls within the overweight range. If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, it falls within the obese range.
Calculated from a person's height and weight, BMI breaks down into four categories: Underweight: BMI below 18.5. Normal: BMI of 18.5 to 24.9. Overweight: BMI of 25 to 29.9.
To interpret the final number, a BMI: below 18.5 means a person is underweight. between 18.5 and 24.9 means a person is of a “normal,” or healthy, weight. between 25 and 29.9 indicates a person is overweight.
Defining severity in anorexia nervosa (AN) is a significant challenge, therefore in 2013, the DSM-5 [1]—in line with the new specifiers for mental disorders—introduced body mass index (BMI) specifiers, including mild (i.e., BMI ≥ 17), moderate (i.e., BMI between 16 and 16.9), severe (i.e., BMI between 15 and 15.9), and ...
In anorexia, death from organ failure or myocardial infarction is fairly common (up to 20 percent of cases end this way) and tends to happen when body weight has fallen to between 60 and 80 pounds (although it can occur at any time).
BMI <17.0: moderate and severe thinness. BMI <18.5: underweight. BMI 18.5–24.9: normal weight. BMI ≥25.0: overweight.
In males, a BMI of around 13 appears to be fatal. The coefficient of variation (CV) of the BMI is 8.7%. In contrast, females survive to a lower BMI of around 11, although with greater index variability (CV 14%). Several females had BMI's as low as 9 and 10.
The greater your BMI (particularly in the obese range over 35), the more likely you are to miss your period. It is even possible to stop bleeding altogether, a condition known as secondary amenorrhea.
According to the ROC analysis, the optimal cut-off value of BMI to predict surgical success was measured as ≤29.1 kg/m2, with 81.1% sensitivity and 82.2% specificity (AUC, 0.857; 95% CI, 0.788–0.927) (Fig.
Being underweight (BMI under 18.5) can reduce a woman's fertility by causing hormone imbalances that affect ovulation and the chance of getting pregnant. Compared to women in the healthy weight range, women who are underweight are more likely to take more than a year to get pregnant.
If your BMI is: under 18.5kg/m2 – you are considered underweight and possibly malnourished. 18.5 to 24.9kg/m2 – you are within a healthy weight range for young and middle-aged adults. 25.0 to 29.9kg/m2 – you are considered overweight.
If your BMI becomes dangerously low, such as less than 18.5, you are at greater risk for malnutrition and premature death. Speak with your doctor to discuss if your BMI presents a health risk.
Of these, BMI is considered a significant determinant of attractiveness, with relatively lower values being more desirable in women. Lower BMI may be perceived as advantageous as it signifies better health, fertility, youthfulness, and maternal investment.
Being underweight or malnourished is defined as having a BMI of less than 18.5. You may be underweight for a variety of reasons: Stressful life event. Recovering or battling an illness.
What are the risks of being underweight? If you are underweight, you may be at greater risk of certain health conditions, including malnutrition, osteoporosis, decreased muscle strength, hypothermia and lowered immunity. You are more likely to die at a younger age.
BMI ranges
If your BMI is: below 18.5 – you're in the underweight range. between 18.5 and 24.9 – you're in the healthy weight range. between 25 and 29.9 – you're in the overweight range.
A BMI of under 18.5 indicates that a person has insufficient weight, so they may need to put on some weight. They should ask a doctor or dietitian for advice. A BMI of 18.5–24.9 indicates that a person has a healthy weight for their height.
BMI is a measure of body fat relative to height and weight, so it can't tell you how you look. Generally speaking, a BMI of 15 is considered very underweight. If you are of average height and have a BMI of 15, you may appear to be very thin.