Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple measure of body fatness calculated from weight and height (kg/m²). It provides a general screening tool for weight categories (underweight, healthy weight, overweight, obesity). While convenient, BMI does not distinguish between muscle mass and fat mass, nor does it indicate fat distribution (visceral vs. subcutaneous fat), which are critical factors for metabolic health. More advanced measures like waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, or body composition analysis (e.g., DEXA) offer better insights.