Nutrition

Body Mass Index BMI

A simple number calculated from a person's height and weight, commonly used as a rough screening tool for underweight, healthy weight, or obesity.

Real-life application

A doctor checking BMI during a routine health check-up is using this same simple height-and-weight calculation.

Related terms

Malnutrition

Nutrition

A condition caused by not getting the right amount of nutrients — this can mean too little food (undernutrition) or too much of the wrong food.

Obesity

Nutrition

A condition of having excess body fat built up over time, usually from eating more energy than the body uses, which raises the risk of other diseases.

Put it into practice

Practise the subject behind the definition.

Explore subject tests

← All glossary terms