BMI: Time to Measure Up

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The body mass index (BMI) or Quetelet index is a value derived from the mass (weight) and height of an individual.

The BMI is defined as the body mass divided by the square of the body height, and is universally expressed in units of kg/m2, resulting from mass in kilograms and height in metres.

It may also be determined using a table or chart which displays it as a function of mass and height using contour lines or colours for different categories, and may use two different units of measurement[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”35″][mkdf_bmi_calculator display_chart=”yes” chart_title=”BMI Categories” form_title=”BMI Calculator” form_description=”Your BMR calculator generates the number of calories your body burns per day at rest. Your BMR with activity factor is the number of calories your body burns per day based on the activity factor you selected.”][vc_empty_space height=”28″][vc_column_text]The BMI is an attempt to quantify the amount of tissue mass (muscle, fat, and bone) in an individual, and then categorize that person as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese based on that value. However, there is some debate about where on the BMI scale the dividing lines between categories should be placed.

Commonly accepted ranges are underweight: under 18.5 kg/m2, normal weight: 18.5 to 25, overweight: 25 to 30, obese: over 30. People of Asian descent have different associations between, percentage of body fat, and health risks than those of European descent, with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease at BMIs lower than the WHO cut-off point for overweight, 25 kg/m2, although the cutoff for observed risk varies among different Asian populations.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]