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The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a mathematical formula created by the Belgian statistician Adolphe Quetelet to estimate the amount of body fat a person has. The result indicates whether the individual is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.
BMI is a limited indicator because it cannot distinguish between muscle mass and body fat. Without this distinction, the associated clinical risks may be misleading.
The ranges in this table are based on the BMI cut-offs of the WHO and the NIH. The World Health Organization published them in Obesity: Preventing and Managing the Global Epidemic (2000) and they match the NIH clinical guidelines (1998). They classify body mass index into five levels according to the associated clinical risk.
| BMI | Range | Clinical Risk |
|---|---|---|
| < 18.5 | Underweight | Low |
| 18.5 - 24.9 | Normal weight | Normal |
| 25 - 29.9 | Overweight | Moderately increased |
| 30 - 39.9 | Obesity | Increased |
| ≥ 40 | Severe obesity | Very increased |
It's important to note that these categories are only a general guideline and do not apply to all individuals in the same way. For example, BMI does not take into account body composition and may underestimate body fat in highly muscular individuals while overestimating it in older people with less muscle mass. Additionally, BMI is not a precise measure of body fat and should not be used as an absolute measure of health. It's important to discuss any concerns about weight or body fat with a healthcare professional.
BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms (kg) by height in meters (m) squared. The formula is:
For example, if a person weighs 70 kg and has a height of 1.75 m, their BMI would be:
It's important to note that BMI is not a precise measure of body fat and can be affected by factors such as age, gender, and body composition. Therefore, it's important to use BMI as a general indicator of health and not as an absolute measure.