Body mass index (BMI) is a measure that estimates the amount of body fat a person has. It is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. BMI is used to screen for weight-related health problems such as obesity, overweight, and underweight. For example, a BMI of 25 or greater is considered overweight, while a BMI of 30 or greater is considered obese.
BMI is a simple and inexpensive way to screen for weight-related health problems. It is also a useful tool for tracking changes in weight over time. BMI was first developed in the 19th century by Adolphe Quetelet, a Belgian statistician. Quetelet’s original formula for BMI is still used today.