What does BMI stand for, and what does it measure?

BMI stands for Body Mass Index, and it measures a person's weight relative to their height. This calculation uses the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters, resulting in a number that falls into categories such as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. The primary purpose of BMI is to provide a simple numeric measure that can help assess whether an individual has a healthy body weight for a given height, which can be a helpful indicator in large population health assessments. While it does not directly measure body fat percentage or other components of physical fitness, it serves as a useful screening tool for weight-related health risks.