Beginning Jan. 1, all patients seen at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield medical facilities will have their BMI calculated at every medical appointment, regardless of clinic specialty or purpose of appointment, as part of a new program, according to a news release from Army Medical Department Activity on Fort Stewart.

Entitled, “BMI: A Healthy Weigh to a Healthy You,” the program focuses on ensuring each beneficiary has a current body mass index recorded in his or her medical history. BMI is a number calculated from a person's weight and height. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it provides an indicator of body fat and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. In general, adults at a healthy weight have a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9, people between 25 and 29.9 are considered overweight, and anyone with a BMI more than 30 is obese.

MEDDAC Commander Col. Ronald J. Place said the timing of the program’s kick-off is not a coincidence.

“With the challenges Americans have with healthy lifestyles and the large number of people who have New Year’s resolutions that revolve around losing excess weight and increasing fitness, we see this as a unique opportunity to fill the needs of the community and help them on their journey toward a healthier lifestyle,” he said.