Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. It is used to screen for weight-related health problems such as obesity, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. For example, a person who weighs 70 kilograms and is 1.75 meters tall has a BMI of 22.9.
BMI is a valuable tool for healthcare professionals to assess a person’s weight status and risk of developing weight-related health problems. It is also used by researchers to study the relationship between weight and health. In 1972, Ancel Keys developed BMI as a way to measure obesity in adults.