Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple medical screening tool that uses height and weight to estimate body fat. It helps categorize whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.
BMI Calculation Formula
Metric Units (kg & cm):
BMI = weight(kg) / [height(m) × height(m)]
Standard/US Units (lbs & inches):
BMI = 703 × weight(lbs) / [height(in) × height(in)]
Limitations of BMI
While BMI is a widely used and useful indicator of healthy body weight, it does have limitations. It does not distinguish between muscle mass and fat mass. Highly muscular athletes, for instance, may have a high BMI but very low body fat percentages. It also does not account for age or gender differences.