Definition: Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value calculated from an individual's weight and height.
Calculation: BMI is obtained by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.
Categories: BMI categories include underweight (BMI less than 18.5), normal weight (18.5 to 24.9), overweight (25 to 29.9), and obesity (30 or higher).
Limitations: BMI does not differentiate between muscle and fat, potentially misclassifying individuals with high muscle mass as overweight.
Screening Tool: Despite its limitations, BMI is widely used as a screening tool for assessing population-level trends in weight status.
Health Risk Indicator: Elevated BMI is associated with increased health risks, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers.
Public Health Impact: BMI is instrumental in public health initiatives, helping identify at-risk populations and guiding preventive measures.
Individual Assessment: While useful at a population level, individual health assessments should consider additional factors beyond BMI, such as waist circumference and overall health status.