What is BMI?

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BMI should be used as a measure to track weight status and as a screening tool to identify potential weight problems in individuals

       

BMI is used as a screening tool to indicate whether a person is underweight, overweight, obese or a healthy weight for their height.

If a person's BMI is out of the healthy BMI range, their health risks may increase significantly.

BMI values are age-independent and the same for both sexes. However, BMI may not correspond to the same degree of fatness in different populations due to different body proportions.

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The health risks associated with an increasing BMI are continuous, and the interpretation of BMI grading in relation to risk may differ for different populations.