Body mass index (BMI)

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Body mass index (BMI)

Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on an individual's height and weight. It is a useful tool to determine if an individual is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. 

Formula 

The formula for calculating BMI is:

BMI = weight (kg) / height² (m²)

BMI is calculated by dividing an individual's weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared. For example, if an individual weighs 70 kilograms and their height is 1.7 meters, their BMI would be calculated as follows:

BMI = 70 / (1.7 x 1.7) = 24.2

Indicator

BMI is an indicator of overall body fat, but it does not measure body fat directly. Therefore, it is important to note that BMI does not take into account factors such as muscle mass or bone density, which can influence an individual's weight. For this reason, BMI should be used as a screening tool rather than a diagnostic tool.

BMI ranges for adults are as follows:

BMI ranges for children and teenagers :

BMI ranges for children and teenagers are age and sex-specific and are calculated using a different formula. BMI percentile is calculated based on a child's age and sex, and the percentile is compared to children of the same age and sex.

While BMI is a useful screening tool for assessing body fat and potential health risks, it is important to note that it is not a perfect indicator of health. Factors such as diet, physical activity, and family history also play a role in overall health and should be taken into account when assessing an individual's health.