Body mass index (BMI) is a common metric for assessing weight categories and health risks associated with obesity and underweight conditions. Its simplicity has made it a staple in both clinical and public health settings. However, BMI has multiple shortcomings.
BMI, or body mass index, is a tool that helps indicate if your weight is in a healthy range for your height. Your lifestyle significantly impacts your BMI through various factors such as diet, physical activity, sleep, and stress.
Genetics exert an influential aspect of body mass composition, based on both family studies and longitudinal studies that followed subjects for extended periods of time.
When evaluating Body mass index (BMI), gender differences must be taken into consideration.
In interpreting your BMI value, you must consider your age group. There are three distinct age groups that affect the interpretation of a BMI value: children, adults, and seniors.
Body mass index was developed by Belgian mathematician Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet in the 1830s. Originally a statistical exercise, today the use of BMI is widespread in health and fitness evaluation.