body mass index

noun

: a measure of body fat that is the ratio of the weight of the body in kilograms to the square of its height in meters

Examples of body mass index in a Sentence

A person with a body mass index of more than 30 is considered to be obese.

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers examined body mass index (BMI) figures that were observed from people’s health records. —Filip Timotija, The Hill, 14 Dec. 2024

Participants in this study were age 60, on average, and were overweight with a a body mass index (BMI) of 27. —Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024

At the start of the study, participants were almost 60 years old on average and had a mean body mass index (BMI) of 25.3 (putting them in the overweight category, but by less than one point). —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Dec. 2024

Research has found that individuals who walk between 10,000-12,000 steps daily typically have a lower body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage than people who walk fewer steps. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

body mass index

noun

: a measure of body fat that is the ratio of the weight of the body in kilograms to the square of its height in meters

Medical Definition

body mass index

noun

: a measure of body fat that is the ratio of the weight of the body in kilograms to the square of its height in meters

a body mass index in adults of 25 to 29.9 is considered an indication of overweight, and 30 or more an indication of obesity

—abbreviation BMI

called also Quetelet index