How is Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated by taking a person's body mass (weight) in kilograms and dividing it by the square of their height in meters. This formula reflects the relationship between weight and height in a way that is standardized for a broad population. The squared height accounts for the fact that as height increases, weight typically increases as well, allowing BMI to provide a useful measure of body composition and potential health risks associated with being underweight, overweight, or obese.

Using this formula, healthcare professionals can use BMI as a quick screening tool to categorize individuals into different weight categories, which can be useful for assessing health conditions related to body weight. In contrast, other options do not accurately represent the method for calculating BMI. For instance, simply dividing weight by height or multiplying weight by height does not take into account the necessary adjustment for height squared, which is crucial for an accurate estimation of body fat and overall health.