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BMI Background The body mass index (BMI), is the measurement that compares a person's weight and height to determaine the overall fitness of the individual. BMI calculation does not actually measure percentage of total body fat, but it is a tool used to estimate what is considered a healthy weight based on a persons height. BMI is currently the most widely used body weight diagnostic tool. It is primarly implemented to identify obesity problems. Although the body mass index is an accurate represenation of weight compared to height, it is not considered accurate to determaine obesity and general body health. The body mass index was invented in the mid 1900s by a man named Adolphe Quetelet during his research of social physics. The Body mass index is defined as the your body weight divided by the square of your height. The formula is universally expressed as kg/m2. |