Understanding Body Mass Index (BMI)
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely used tool to evaluate whether a person’s weight is in a healthy range. It is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared;
BMI = weight ÷ height²
Based on the result, individuals are placed into standard categories:
Underweight: below 18.5
Normal weight: 18.5 – 24.9
Overweight: 25 – 29.9
Obese: 30 and above
Although BMI is simple and useful for a quick assessment, it has its limitations. It does not differentiate between muscle and fat, so someone with high muscle mass might be classified as overweight despite being very healthy. It also fails to account for fat distribution, which is important since abdominal fat can increase health risks more than fat stored in other areas. Additionally, factors such as age, gender, and ethnicity can influence how accurately BMI reflects an individual’s health. For this reason, BMI is best used alongside other measures like waist-to-hip ratio, body fat percentage, and lifestyle habits for a clearer picture of overall health. 