Body mass index, or BMI, is a measure that uses height and weight to approximate body fat. It is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. For example, a person who is 1.8 meters tall and weighs 80 kilograms would have a BMI of 24.9.
BMI is an important indicator of health because it can help to identify people who are at risk for obesity and other health problems. It is also used to track changes in body weight over time. BMI was first developed in the 19th century by Adolphe Quetelet, a Belgian mathematician and statistician.