The Importance of Body Mass Index (BMI)
Understanding BMI
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. It is a simple and widely used tool to assess weight status in adults. BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters (kg/m2). The resulting number can be used to determine if a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.
BMI Ranges
The World Health Organization (WHO) has established the following BMI ranges for adults:
- Underweight: BMI less than 18.5 kg/m2
- Normal weight: BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2
- Overweight: BMI between 25 and 29.9 kg/m2
- Obesity: BMI 30 kg/m2 or higher
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