BMI, a metric used to assess health risks related to weight, is calculated using a formula involving height and weight. Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters.
Determining BMI is essential for understanding the relationship between weight and health, allowing healthcare providers to classify individuals into underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese categories. The concept emerged in the 1970s as a standardized way of assessing adiposity and has since become widely adopted by healthcare professionals worldwide.