About This Calculator
Author
Adolphe Quetelet
First Published
1832
Evidence
WHO-standard screening tool
Category
Endocrinology
Original Study
Quetelet Index; adopted as BMI by Ancel Keys (1972)
About
Body Mass Index is weight (kg) divided by height squared (m^2). The WHO classifies underweight (<18.5), normal (18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9), and obesity (>=30).
Clinical Use
Population-level screening. Does not distinguish muscle from fat; less accurate in athletes and elderly.
