Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. The BMI is calculated by taking the weight in kilograms and dividing it by the square of the height in meters.
The BMI is a useful tool for screening for weight-related health problems such as obesity, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. The BMI was first developed in the 19th century by Adolphe Quetelet, a Belgian mathematician, astronomer, and sociologist.