Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated by dividing an adult's weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared. It helps determine if someone is within a healthy weight range. For example, a person weighing 70 kg and measuring 1.70 meters tall would calculate BMI as follows: 70÷(1.70×1.70)=24.2270\div (1.70\times 1.70)=24.2270÷(1.70×1.70)=24.22, classified as a healthy weight. BMI categories generally are:
- Underweight: Below 18.5
- Normal weight: 18.5 to 24.9
- Overweight: 25 to 29.9
- Obese: 30 and above
BMI gives an indication of body fat, but it cannot differentiate between muscle and fat. Therefore, highly muscular individuals might be categorized as overweight or obese despite low fat levels. Measuring waist circumference along with BMI provides better health risk information. If someone has a high BMI, it could increase their risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues. Keeping BMI in a healthy range by balancing diet and physical activity is recommended for overall health.
