A body mass index (BMI) example is a calculation that estimates body fat based on height and weight. For instance, a person who is 5’9″ (1.75m) tall and weighs 160 lbs (72.5kg) has a BMI of 24.9, which is considered to be in the healthy weight range.
Calculating BMI is a simple and inexpensive way to screen for weight-related problems and track progress towards weight loss or gain goals. The concept of BMI was first developed in the 1830s by Adolphe Quetelet, a Belgian mathematician.