Body mass index (BMI) is a measure that calculates your weight in relation to your height, expressed in kilograms per square meter (kg/m2). Commonly used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems, BMI may estimate how much body fat a person has. It was first introduced in the 19th century by Belgian statistician Adolphe Quetelet, who called it the “body mass index”.
Calculating BMI is crucial for identifying weight-related health issues and assessing nutritional status. It helps individuals, healthcare professionals, and policymakers understand the risks associated with underweight, overweight, and obesity.