BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)

                                                BODY MASS INDEX.

It is a simple index of weight for height that is commonly used to classify underweight, over weight and obesity in adults.

It is defined as weight in Kgs divided by square of the height in meters.(kg/m^2).

It is age and sex independent.

WHO classification :

BMI :- 

<18.5 = underweight.

18.5 - 24.9 = normal range.

25 - 29.99 = pre obese.

30 - 34.99 = obese class I.

35 - 39.99 = obese class II.

>= 40 = obese class III.

Drawback :-

BMI does not distinguish between weight associated with muscle and weight associated with fat.

So, increased BMI need not imply increased fat content in the body.