Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of weight adjusted for height, calculated as weight
in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (kg/m2.
Although BMI is often
considered an indicator of body fatness, it is a surrogate measure of body fat because it
measures excess weight rather than excess fat.
BMI is a simple, inexpensive, and noninvasive surrogate measure of body fat. In
contrast to other methods, BMI relies solely on height and weight .
studies have shown that BMI levels correlate with body fat and with future
health risks. High BMI predicts future morbidity and death. Therefore, BMI is an
appropriate measure for screening for obesity and its health risks.