How to calculate BMI (Body Mass Index) is a widely used tool to determine one’s weight status and identify potential health risks associated with being underweight, overweight, or obese. It is derived from a person’s height and weight, providing a numerical value that categorizes individuals into different BMI ranges.
BMI calculation plays a crucial role in public health and clinical settings. It helps healthcare professionals assess nutritional status, monitor weight management progress, and estimate the risk of developing weight-related health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. The concept of BMI was first introduced in the early 19th century by Belgian statistician and astronomer Adolphe Quetelet, who developed it as a means of comparing body weight to height in large populations.