BMI is widely used to classify underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity
Underweight: < 18.5 Normal : 18.5–24.9 Overweight: 25–29.9 Obesity:≥ 30
BMI was developed in the 1830s by Adolphe Quetelet, a Belgian mathematician, to study the "average man."
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 39% of adults worldwide are overweight, and 13% are obese
For children and teens, BMI is adjusted for age and gender, as their body composition changes with growthÂ
A high BMI is linked to an increased risk – Heart disease – Type 2 diabete – High blood pressure – Certain cancer
BMI doesn’t differentiate between muscle, fat, or bone mass. For example, athletes with high muscle mass may be classified as overweight.Â
Asian countries often use a lower BMI threshold for obesity (≥ 27.5) due to higher risks of health issues at lower BMI levels.Â
Other methods to assess health: Waist-to-hip ratio Body fat percentage Basal metabolic rate (BMR)
BMI = Weight (kg) ÷ Height² (m²) For example: 70 kg ÷ (1.75 m × 1.75 m) = 22.86Â
Studies show a BMI of 20–25 is associated with the lowest risk of premature death in most adults.Â