Donald Trump Admits He Needs to Lose '15 to 20 Pounds' After Lab Results Show He's Overweight

A newly released letter from Donald Trump's doctor showed that the GOP nominee is overweight for his height – something television's Dr. Mehmet Oz affirmed when he gave his assessment on Trump's health in an interview airing Thursday afternoon.

Although earlier reports, including one in The New York Times, put Trump's weight at 267, Trump's physician and Dr. Oz both said he is 6'3" and weighs 236 pounds. (At 6'3" Trump would be considered "overweight" at 236, according to the Centers for Disease Control's body mass index calculator. His BMI of 29.5 places him just half a point away from the "obese" category.)

Dr. Oz told 70-year-old Trump, "You're 6'3", 236 lbs. as I mentioned. Now, in my mind, I'm thinking your body surface area and your BMI is high. It's probably close to 30, which is sort of the barrier for most people. Do your doctors or your family ever give you a hard time about your weight?"

"Yeah, I think I could lose a little weight," Trump admitted. "I've always been a little bit this way. I think that if I had one thing, I'd like to lose weight. It's tough because of the way I live. But the one thing I would like to do is be able to drop 15 to 20 pounds. It would be good."



A study from UCLA published earlier this year suggested that a high BMI is not necessary an indicator of poor health, the Los Angeles Times reported. Trump's doctor said the candidate is in "excellent physical health" and has the "stamina" to serve as president.

Trump also discussed his exercise and eating habits during his sitdown with Dr. Oz, saying he considers making hand gestures during campaign events to be a form of exercise. He also said he likes to eat fast food because "at least you know what they're putting in it."

Trump previously told PEOPLE that he doesn't work out.

"Don't have to," he said in March. "When you're making speeches for 25,000 people and shouting and screaming and having fun with everybody and making America great again, you get a lot of exercise."