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, underweight, and eating disorders. BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters. The result is a number that falls into one of four categories:
BMI is a valuable tool for assessing weight-related health risks. It is simple to calculate and can be used by anyone. BMI has been used for over a century to track weight-related health trends. In the early 1900s, Belgian statistician Adolphe Quetelet developed BMI as a way to measure the average weight of men and women.