How It Works

BMI = weight (kg) / height² (m²). For imperial units, BMI = 703 × weight (lbs) / height² (in²).

BMI is a screening tool but does not directly assess body fat. It may overestimate fat in muscular individuals and underestimate fat in older adults with reduced muscle mass.

References: WHO. Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic. WHO Technical Report Series 894. NIH. Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults. 1998.