BMI
Body Mass Index
BMI is an inexpensive and easy screening method for weight
category—underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity.
BMI does not measure body fat directly, but BMI is moderately correlated
with more direct measures of body fat. Furthermore, BMI appears to be as
strongly correlated with various metabolic and disease outcome as are
these more direct measures of body fatness.
BMI can be a screening tool, but it does not diagnose the body fatness
or health of an individual. To determine if BMI is a health risk, a
healthcare provider performs further assessments. Such assessments
include skinfold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical
activity, and family history.
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