What Is BMI and Is It Actually a Good Health Indicator?
BMI has been used for decades to assess weight-related health risk — but is it still the right tool? We break down what the science says.
By EpicToolify Editorial
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple numerical measure calculated from a person's weight and height. Developed by Adolphe Quetelet in the 19th century, it is widely used by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a population-level screening tool for weight-related health risk.
However, BMI has important limitations. It cannot distinguish between fat mass and muscle mass, nor does it account for fat distribution — a key factor in metabolic risk.
Use BMI as a starting point, not a definitive health verdict. Pair it with waist circumference, body fat percentage, and clinical assessment for a complete picture.