Overweight and Obesity
Body Mass Index (BMI)

The term BMI is often used when discussing the obesity epidemic, but what is BMI?

BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It is a number that shows body weight adjusted for height. BMI can be calculated with simple math using inches and pounds, or meters and kilograms. For adults aged 20 years or older, BMI falls into one of these categories: underweight, normal, overweight, or obese.

For more information, see our section on Body Mass Index (BMI.)

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This page last updated April 14, 2003

United States Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity