What does BMI stand for, and what does it measure?

BMI stands for Body Mass Index, and it is a widely used measurement that assesses body fat based on an individual's height and weight. The calculation involves taking a person's weight in kilograms and dividing it by the square of their height in meters. This method provides a simple numerical value that categorizes individuals into various groups, such as underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese. These categories help to assess whether an individual has a healthy body weight relative to their height, which can indicate potential health risks associated with being underweight or overweight.

The focus on height and weight is what makes BMI a convenient tool for population studies, although it does not directly measure body fat or consider factors such as muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution. Thus, while BMI is a useful screening tool, it's important to complement it with other assessments for a comprehensive understanding of an individual's health status.