What is BMI and how is it calculated?

What is BMI and how is it calculated?

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measure used to assess a person's body weight relative to their height. It is a rough indicator of whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.

BMI is calculated using a simple mathematical formula that divides a person's weight (in kilograms) by the square of their height (in meters). The formula is:

BMI = Weight (kg) / (Height (m) * Height (m))

To calculate your own BMI, follow these steps:

1. Measure your weight in kilograms.
2. Measure your height in meters.
3. Square your height.
4. Divide your weight by the square of your height.

The result will give you your Body Mass Index. The interpretation of BMI is based on certain categories:

• Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
• Normal weight: BMI between 18.5 and 24.9
• Overweight: BMI between 25 and 29.9
• Obesity: BMI of 30 or higher

However, please note that BMI is only a rough estimate and does not take into account all factors, such as the distribution of muscle and fat tissue in the body. Therefore, it is advisable to consider additional assessments, such as waist circumference or body fat percentage, to obtain a more accurate assessment.