Measuring Body Mass Index (BMI) is a crucial health indicator that can provide valuable insights into a person’s weight status. However, age plays a significant role in BMI interpretation. Calculating BMI according to age helps determine if a person’s weight is appropriate for their age group and can help identify potential health risks.
The concept of age-adjusted BMI originated in the early 1900s. In 1921, the renowned physiologist James McCay proposed using age-specific charts to assess nutritional status. These charts considered the gradual decline in muscle mass and bone density with age, which affects overall body composition and BMI.