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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
Some studies suggest that people with a high body mass index (BMI) can decrease their night snoring by reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2025
One study found that people who exercised between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. had a lower body mass index (BMI) than people who exercised in the afternoon or at night.7 Researchers noted more studies are needed to understand this link.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 8 Jan. 2025
But growing evidence suggests some people who may be heavy—such as those who are clinically classified as having obesity, according to their body mass index (BMI)—are metabolically healthy.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 25 Oct. 2024
Across a sample of nearly 17 million adults in a new JAMA Health Forum study, mean population body mass index grew from 2013 to 2021.
—Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1983, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near body mass index
Cite this Entry
“Body mass index.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/body%20mass%20index. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on body mass index
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about body mass index
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