Body mass index

Body mass index (BMI) is a calculation taken by dividing somebody’s body weight (in kilograms) by the square of their height (in meters). The equation is as follows:
BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)2
BMI is categorized in the following ways:
Underweight: Below 18.5
Normal: 18.5-24.9
Overweight: 25.0-29.9
Obesity: 30.0 and over

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BMI doesn’t exactly measure body fat; however, it is linked to other measures that indicate the location, amount, and distribution of body fat. It is a much easier measurement to take versus more refined methods of measuring body fat, such as with a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan.

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A BMI measurement is essential to understanding somebody’s overall health as it pertains to their weight. A higher BMI is associated with increased risk for conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breathing issues, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, depression, gallstones, and some cancers. Lower body fat can be associated with malnutrition, anemia, osteoporosis, infertility, or a weak immune system.

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It is important to note some limitations of BMI in diagnosing weight categories, such as the fact that BMI doesn’t:
Distinguish between lean body mass and fat mass
Measure body fat distribution