A body ratio calculated by dividing body mass (in kg) by the square of stature (in m), expressed in kg/m2.
Often used as a physical health indicator.
It is broadly used to assess whether a person’s weight is appropriate, particularly to define their obesity status:
- BMI < 16: severe underweight
- 16 ≤ BMI < 18.5: underweight
- 18.5 ≤ BMI < 25: normal weight
- 25 ≤ BMI < 30: overweight
- 30 ≤ BMI < 35: obesity class I
- 35 ≤ BMI < 40: obesity class II
- BMI ≥ 40: obesity class III