Body mass index (BMI)

The body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat. It is defined as the weight of a subject in kilograms (kg) divided by the square of their height in meters (m) . The resultant quantity is measured in kg/m.

A body mass index greater than 25 kg/mis the medical definition for being overweight, when greater than 30 kg/m, then obesity is present.

Limitations of body mass index

The use of the body mass index has clear limitations as a measure of body fat. It does not take into account, the age, gender, skeletal structure, lean body (muscle) mass or distribution of body fat . In view of this, the body mass index may give an erroneous impression of an individual's level of body fat.