BMI, or Body Mass Index, is a metric used to measure body fat based on height and weight. It is a valuable tool for assessing health risks associated with weight, such as obesity and malnutrition. For instance, knowing how to calculate BMI enables individuals to determine if they are underweight, overweight, or within a healthy weight range.
Developed in the 19th century by Belgian mathematician and astronomer Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet, BMI was initially created as a statistical tool to compare the body mass of different populations. Over time, it has gained widespread acceptance as a practical method for identifying weight-related health risks.