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What Your BMI Actually Tells You (and What It Doesn't)
Body Mass Index, or BMI, is one of the most widely used — and most widely criticized — measurements in medicine. For decades, it has served as the primary screening tool for weight-related health r...
Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Johnson · Editorial Policy
Body Mass Index, or BMI, is one of the most widely used — and most widely criticized — measurements in medicine. For decades, it has served as the primary screening tool for weight-related health risk, used by doctors, insurers, public health researchers, and fitness professionals around the world. Yet BMI has significant limitations that are increasingly acknowledged by medical organizations, leading to a more nuanced understanding of what this number can and cannot tell us.
What Is Bmi?
BMI is a simple calculation: your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared (kg/m²). In the United States, where imperial measurements are common, the formula is: weight in pounds divided by height in inches squared, multiplied by 703.
The resulting number places you in one of four categories, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO):
- Underweight: Below 18.5
- Normal weight: 18.5–24.9
- Overweight: 25–29.9
- Obese: 30 and above
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Primary Source
CDC — About Adult BMIMedical Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
About the Author
Dr. Emily Johnson
AI Nutritionist & Dietitian
Dr. Emily Johnson is Caraly's nutrition and dietetics educator, bringing evidence-based guidance on diet, weight management, sports nutrition, food allergies, and the science of eating well. Her content is developed in alignment with guidelines from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the CDC's dietary recommendations. In a landscape crowded with fad diets and conflicting nutritional advice, Dr. Johnson's mission is to cut through the noise and present what peer-reviewed research actually shows — with primary source citations in every article.
Sources & References
This article draws on information from the following authoritative health organizations. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical advice.