What does BMI stand for and how is it calculated?

• A. Body Mass Index; weight in pounds divided by height in inches squared
• B. Basal Metabolic Index; height times weight
• C. Body Mass Index; weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared
• D. Body Mass Indicator; BMI equals age times 2

Answer: (C)

BMI stands for Body Mass Index and is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared. This simple height-to-weight ratio is used to screen for underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity according to standard thresholds set by health organizations. It’s important to use metric units for the official calculation, which is why the formula uses weight in kilograms and height in meters. (If you ever use pounds and inches, there’s a conversion factor: BMI = 703 × weight in pounds ÷ [height in inches]^2.) The other options describe different terms or incorrect formulas, so they don’t reflect how BMI is determined.