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| | | #REDIRECT [[Body mass index]] |
| Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value of a person's weight in relation to their height, used as a simple and widely used method for estimating [[body fatness]] and [[weight status]]. It is calculated by dividing an individual's weight (in kilograms) by their height squared (in meters).
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| [[File:BMI weight obesity scale.jpg|thumb|right|BMI]]
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| ==Formula==
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| The formula for calculating BMI is:
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| BMI = weight (kg) / height^2 (m^2)
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| ==Interpretation of BMI Results==
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| BMI is used to classify individuals into categories of weight status, including [[underweight]], [[normal weight]], [[overweight]], and [[obesity]]. The following are the commonly used categories and their corresponding BMI ranges:
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| * Underweight: BMI < 18.5
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| * Normal weight: 18.5 ≤ BMI < 25
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| * Overweight: 25 ≤ BMI < 30
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| * Obesity: BMI ≥ 30
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| ==Limitations==
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| It is important to note that while BMI is a useful tool for estimating body fatness and weight status, it has some limitations and should not be used as a diagnostic tool. For example, individuals with a high amount of [[muscle mass]] may have a high BMI but actually have a low amount of body fat. Similarly, older individuals may have a lower BMI but still have a high amount of body fat. In these cases, it may be necessary to use other methods, such as [[skinfold thickness measurement|skinfold thickness measurements]] or [[DXA scan|DXA scans]], to more accurately assess body fatness.
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| ==Uses of BMI==
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| BMI is widely used for population-level surveillance of overweight and obesity, as well as for screening individuals for weight-related health risks. In addition, BMI is used to monitor the weight status of individuals over time, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of weight loss interventions.
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| ==Health Risks==
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| Carrying excess weight, especially in the form of abdominal fat, is associated with an increased risk of a number of serious health problems, including:
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| * [[Type 2 diabetes]]
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| * [[Cardiovascular disease]]
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| * [[Hypertension]]
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| * [[Sleep apnea]]
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| * Certain cancers (e.g., breast, colon, endometrial, and gallbladder)
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| * [[Osteoarthritis]]
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| * [[Fatty liver disease]]
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| * [[Kidney disease]]
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| ==Also see==
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| * [[Waist circumference]]
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| ==References==
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| * [[World Health Organization]] (2020). Body mass index - BMI. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/item/body-mass-index-bmi
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| * [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (2021). Overweight and obesity. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult/defining.html
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