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

Much of the research on weight is based on body mass index…which is a crappy measure of health or illness. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 26 Mar. 2025

Studies show that taking curcumin in supplement form lowers body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (a way to measure cardiovascular risk, which is risk to the heart and blood vessel disease). —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 28 Apr. 2025

The Love in Real Life artist reduced her body mass index by 10.5 and lost 16% of her body fat according to an Instagram post. —Essence, 23 Apr. 2025

One recent study found that coconut oil may help manage body weight, fat mass, and body mass index (BMI). —Sherri Gordon, Health, 13 Apr. 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