What is the formula for calculating BMI?

The formula for calculating Body Mass Index (BMI) is derived from the relationship between weight and height, which helps assess whether an individual has a healthy body weight for a given height. BMI provides a valuable screening tool for assessing weight categories that may lead to health problems.

The correct formula, Weight (kg) / Height^2 (meters), uses the metric system, where weight is measured in kilograms and height in meters. This calculation results in a BMI value that is a standardized measure allowing for comparisons across different individuals irrespective of their height.

Using kilograms and meters helps maintain consistency and accuracy, as these units are standard in many scientific and medical contexts. This formula results in a dimensionless number that categorizes individuals into weight categories such as underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese, based on the values obtained.

In contrast, other options either misuse the relationship between weight and height or implement incorrect formulas for calculating BMI, which do not align with the standard practice recognized internationally.