Health & Fitness
What Is BMI (Body Mass Index)?
BMI is a screening number relating weight to height (kg/m²); 18.5–24.9 is considered the healthy range for most adults.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. It sorts adults into categories: under 18.5 is underweight, 18.5–24.9 healthy, 25–29.9 overweight, and 30+ obese.
BMI is a useful population-level screening tool but a blunt individual measure — it cannot distinguish muscle from fat, so athletes often score "overweight" while lean. It is best interpreted alongside waist circumference, body composition and blood markers.