BMI is commonly used to categorize individuals into various weight groups, such as underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity.

Its a useful and accessible tool for assessing weight status in populations, though it should be complemented with other measures such as waist circumference, body composition analysis, and clinical assessments to gain a more accurate picture of an individual’s health.

BMI is widely used as a screening tool for assessing weight status and potential health risks, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

BMI does not differentiate between fat, muscle, and bone mass, leading to potential misclassification, especially in athletes and older adults. It does not account for fat distribution, which is crucial for understanding health risks (e.g., abdominal fat poses higher risks than peripheral fat).

World Health Organization’s BMI values for men and women, age 18 or older