What it means
A screening number equal to weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m²). For adults, under 18.5 is underweight, 18.5–24.9 is a healthy weight, 25–29.9 is overweight and 30 or more is obese. It does not measure body fat directly, so a very muscular person can have a high BMI. Children use BMI-for-age percentiles instead.
For the nurse
Weigh and measure accurately, with the client in light clothes and no shoes. Use BMI as a starting point for talking about nutrition and health, not as a judgment.
In a chart
"Height 165 cm, weight 82 kg, BMI 30.1."
At a glance
| Normal range | 18.5–24.9 kg/m² (adult) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | IMC (índice de masa corporal) |
| Also written | body mass index |