BMI Explained: What Your Body Mass Index Really Means

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple measurement that uses your height and weight to estimate body fat. It's calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared.

BMI categories are: Underweight (below 18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), and Obese (30+). These ranges help healthcare providers quickly assess potential health risks.

While BMI is a useful screening tool, it has limitations. It doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat. Athletes with high muscle mass may have a high BMI but low body fat. It also doesn't account for age, gender, or body composition.

Despite its limitations, BMI remains valuable because it's easy to calculate and correlates well with health outcomes at the population level. Use it as a starting point, not a definitive measure of health.