body mass index

[ bod-ee mas in-deks ]

noun

1. an index for assessing overweight and underweight, obtained by dividing body weight in kilograms by height in meters squared: a measure of 25 or more is considered overweight.

body mass index

noun

1. an index used to indicate whether a person is over- or underweight. It is obtained by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in metres. An index of 20–25 is normal BMI

body mass index

/ bŏd′ē /

1. A measurement of the relative percentages of fat and muscle mass in the human body, in which weight in kilograms is divided by height in meters squared. The result is used as an index of obesity.

Word History and Origins

Origin of body mass index¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

These experiences are most prevalent for people with high body mass indexes or those with obesity and for women.

From No Straight News

Residents in the targeted Zip codes who are pregnant or obese, with a body mass index higher than 30, also are newly eligible.

From Washington Post

Abdominal adiposity — excess stomach fat — is associated with increased mortality risk, regardless of body mass index.

From Washington Post

JaMarcus had lost 108 pounds since he started dialysis, and his body mass index had been hovering around the University of Alabama’s limit for months.

From ProPublica

The Mi scale, for example, connects to a Mi fitness app that can track body mass index and suggests relevant exercise regimes.

From Fortune

New members typically have a Body Mass Index of 35 (above 30 is considered overweight).

From The Daily Beast

Particular versions of dopamine receptor genes have been associated with higher physical activity and lower body mass index.

From The Daily Beast

Also omitting smoking status and body mass index increases the hazard ratio to 1.20 (95 percent CI, 1.15–1.24).

From The Daily Beast

Obese people can make up to $1,000 to drop to a normal Body Mass Index (BMI) within a year.

From The Daily Beast

Victims with an above-normal body mass index were found to have less severe injuries than their counterparts.

From The Daily Beast