The body mass index (BMI) or Quetelet Index provides an indication of body mass which takes into account both height and weight measured as kg/m²;

$\backslash mbox\{BMI\}\; =\; \backslash frac\{weight\; (kg)\; \}\{height\; (m)\; ^2\}$

It was originally developed between 1830 and 1850 by the Belgian polymath, Adolphe Quetelet during the course of developing "social physics", and despite it's age, the concept of the body mass index is still used today by government health bodies to see trends in health and illness, particularly relating to obesity.

Recommended thresholds

The BMI can be used to determine if a person is overweight. The thresholds listed below should not be used for children who are still growing.

The following are common definitions of BMI thresholds:

Men

• Underweight: less than 20 (<20)
• Ideal: between 20 and 25 (>=20 but <25)
• Overweight: between 25 and 30 (>=25 but <30)
• Obese: 30 or more (>=30)

Women

• Underweight: less than 18 (<18)
• Ideal: between 18 and 25 (>=18 but <25)
• Overweight: between 25 and 30 (>=25 but <30)
• Obese: 30 or more (>=30)

Variations

The values given above should only be taken as a guide. Different countries and different doctors may apply different values. In 1998, the US National Institutes of Health brought US definitions into line with WHO guidelines. They decreased the normal/overweight cut-off from BMI 27.8 to BMI 25. About 30 million Americans who were fine before, are now seen as overweight. The World Health Organization uses the term "pre-obese" where the USA uses "overweight".

For Asian body types the WHO recommends to use BMI 23, instead of 25. Further studies need to be done, to determine more precise values.

For Asians, the new cut-off BMI index for obesity is 27.5 compared with the traditional WHO figure of 30. An Asian adult with a BMI of 23 or greater is now considered overweight and the ideal normal range is 18.5-22.9.

External links

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Singapore BMI Cut-offs

Health

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