The body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on a person's weight and height. It is used to screen for overweight and obesity in adults. The BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. The following are the BMI categories for adults:
- Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
- Healthy weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9
- Overweight: BMI 25.0 to 29.9
- Obesity: BMI 30.0 or higher
Obesity is further subdivided into three classes:
- Class 1: BMI of 30 to < 35
- Class 2: BMI of 35 to < 40
- Class 3: BMI of 40 or higher, which is sometimes categorized as "severe" obesity
It's important to note that while BMI is a useful screening tool, it does not directly measure body fat or health. A trained health care provider should perform appropriate assessments to evaluate an individual's health status and risks
