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

Many things can influence when a woman will reach menopause: not only her mother’s age at menopause but the timing of her first period, her body mass index, lifestyle choices, use of birth control, number of pregnancies, and other factors like education and income level. —Karina Zaiets, USA Today, 30 June 2025

Those who ate kimchi had lower increases in their body mass index (BMI).3 The nutritional content of sauerkraut and kimchi vary by producer, but the following shows analysis of some typical kinds. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 25 June 2025

To assess the starting point, a very thorough biomarker examination happens after check in; the results range from body mass index, strength and exercise recovery capacity to brain serotonin level, heart rate response to challenge and insulin resistance among many others. —Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

The researchers found that certain breathing patterns correlated with other traits, such as body mass index and levels of depression and anxiety. —Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 June 2025

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