Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. For most adults, BMI is a reasonable indicator of body fatness. BMI categories are based on a cut-point model developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that defines obesity based on a number of factors including the relationship between BMI and the prevalence of obesity-related diseases. There are many ways to calculate BMI, including through the use of a BMI calculator, a BMI chart, or a formula.
BMI is important because it can help you assess your risk of developing certain health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. Also, BMI can assist you in creating a healthy diet, planning exercise programs, and setting realistic weight loss goals. The development of BMI formulas and charts began in the mid-1800s, but the first widely used BMI formula was developed by Adolphe Quetelet in 1832.