Body Mass Index Definition

The body mass index (BMI) is the relationship between the height and weight of an individual, which directly correlates to the body fat contained within the body and can be an indicator of the health risks the person faces. It is measured as BMI = body weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.

The BMI percentile is another helpful statistic. It compares the person\'s BMI to thousands of other people in same reference sample, so as to enable a comparative study of that person\'s health with respect to the rest of the population within permissible constraints. For example, if a boy is 8 years old and his BMI falls at the 60th percentile, that means that 40% of 8-year old boys have a higher BMI and 60% have a lower BMI than that child.

The body mass index is a useful statistic that determines the degree of healthiness one enjoys. The BMI assesses your weight in relation to your height. A healthy BMI for an adult generally falls between 18.5 and 25. If the BMI is more than 25, the individuals are probably classified as overweight, and if it is 30 or higher, one is considered obese, and 40 or higher, extremely obese.

Being obese puts tremendous strain on one\'s heart and can lead to serious health problems like diabetes, heart disease, high-blood pressure, sleep apnea, varicose veins, and other chronic conditions. More than 350,000 lives are lost each year in the US alone due to such health complications.

It is worth noting that the BMI cannot be the sole dictator of one\'s health condition, and health professionals usually have an arsenal of tools to help aid them in health- related consulting, prognosis, and diagnosis.