Nutrition Service
Information About Nutrition @ http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/wh-nutr.html 
| Nutrition Information for Raw Fruits, Vegetables, and Fish Download posters from the FDA CFSAN to help plan a healthy diet and learn about the important nutrients in fruits, vegetables and fish. |
 | Tipping the Scales in Your Favor Have you "resolved" to start eating healthier and become more physically active in 2008? Check out these tips from CDC to get off to a good start and to keep it going. Tips for Weight Loss and Maintenance |
 | A brand new section of MyPyramid.gov is designed for your special nutritional needs when pregnant or breastfeeding. It has advice to help you and your baby stay healthy. |
 | Find out reasons to buy vitamins, vitamin regulations, risks of overdoing them, and more in this new Consumer Update from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Also in PDF (288KB). |
 | Check out a resource list for vegetarian nutrition(books, pamphlets and websites), developed by the Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC) at the USDA National Agricultural Library. |
Log on to the Nutrition Center for additional information at http://www.nutrition.gov/
Maintaining an appropriate weight and consuming a nutritionally adequate diet are essential throughout life. Excessive weight gain, and/or inadequate consumption of essential nutrients such as calcium, folic acid, and essential fatty acids significantly increase the risk for premature disability or death from heart disease, cancer, stroke, kidney disease, cataracts, and other acute or chronic conditions. The resiliency of the body creates opportunities to prevent and, in some cases, reverse some risk factors. The Department of Health and Senior Services has gathered these web links to provide information about proper nutrition as well as food assistance to help each person reach their optimum life expectancy and to enjoy better health and quality of life.
CALCULATING BODY MASS INDEX
BMI — Body Mass Index Calculating Your Body Mass Index During Pregnancy
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a means to determine if a person is overweight, underweight, or normal weight, based on their weight and height. The BMI determination assists with recommendations regarding weight gain during pregnancy. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI correlates to direct measures of body fat. BMI is used as a screening tool (not a diagnostic tool) to identify possible weight problems for adults.
Calculating B M I
Source for charts: CDC.gov
Measurement Units Formula and Calculation Kilograms and meters (or centimeters) Formula: weight (kg) / [height (m)]2 With the metric system, the formula for BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Since height is commonly measured in centimeters, divide height in centimeters by 100 to obtain height in meters.
Example: Weight = 68 kg, Height = 165 cm (1.65 m)
Calculation: 68 ÷ (1.65)2 = 24.98Pounds and inches Formula: weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703 Calculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) squared and multiplying by a conversion factor of 703.
Example: Weight = 150 lbs, Height = 5’5” (65")
Calculation: [150 ÷ (65)2] x 703 = 24.96
For adults 20 years old and older, BMI is interpreted using standard weight status categories that are the same for all ages and for both men and women. For children and teens, on the other hand, the interpretation of BMI is both age- and sex-specific. For more information about interpretation for children and teens, visit Child and Teen BMI Calculator.The standard weight status categories associated with BMI ranges for adults are shown in the following table.
BMI Weight Status Below 18.5 Underweight 18.5 – 24.9 Normal 25.0 – 29.9 Overweight 30.0 and Above Obese
For example, here are the weight ranges, the corresponding BMI ranges, and the weight status categories for a sample height.
Height Weight Range BMI Weight Status 5’ 9” 124 lbs or less Below 18.5 Underweight 125 lbs to 168 lbs 18.5 to 24.9 Normal 169 lbs to 202 lbs 25.0 to 29.9 Overweight 203 lbs or more 30 or higher Obese
GUIDELINES FOR USE OF PRENATAL WEIGHT GAIN CHART
This information is provided through the Missouri department of Health and Senior Services. Log on by clicking on the link below
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Nutrition_Everyone/Publications.html
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