Understanding Body Mass Index and its implications for health.
BMI, or Body Mass Index, is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. It provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems more objectively with their patients.
BMI is calculated using the following formula:
BMI = weight (kg) / [height (m)]²
Or in imperial units: BMI = [weight (lbs) * 703] / [height (in)]²
While BMI can be a useful screening tool, it does have limitations. It doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass, so athletes may have a high BMI without being overweight.