| Definition |
| The body mass index (BMI), or Quetelet index, is a statistical measurement which compares a person’s weight and height. |
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| Purpose |
| An alternative method to assess an individual’s body fatness. |
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| History |
| It was invented between 1830 and 1850 by the Belgian polymath Adolphe Quetelet during the course of developing “social physics. It became popular in the 1950’s and 1960’s due to an increase in obesity. |
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| Formula |
| Measurement Units |
Formula and Calculation
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| Kilograms and meters (or centimeters) |
Formula: weight (kg) / [height (m)]2
With the metric system, the formula for BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Since height is commonly measured in centimeters, divide height in centimeters by 100 to obtain height in meters.
Example: Weight = 68 kg, Height = 165 cm (1.65 m)
Calculation: 68 ÷ (1.65)2 = 24.98 |
| Pounds and inches |
Formula: weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703
Calculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) squared and multiplying by a conversion factor of 703.
Example: Weight = 150 lbs, Height = 5′5″ (65″)
Calculation: [150 ÷ (65)2] x 703 = 24.96 |
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| BMI Score |
| Click here to see what your BMI score means |
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| BMI Charts |
| Click here for other BMI Charts |
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| BMI Calculators |
| Click here for online BMI Calculator Children and Teenager BMI Calculator |
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| BMI Discrepancies |
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At the same BMI, women tend to have more body fat than men.
At the same BMI, older people, on average, tend to have more body fat than younger adults.
Highly trained athletes may have a high BMI because of increased muscularity rather than increased body fatness.
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