What is the BMI?

The BMI (Body Mass Index) is defined as the ratio of the body mass (m) divided by the square of the body height (h) = m/h^2. Besides the BMI there exist several other indexes: Broca Index, Ponderal Index, Waist-to-Height Ratio, Area Mass Index and the Body Shape Index.

The other indexes are calculated like this:

  • Broca Index = body height in centimeters – 100
  • Ponderal Index = body mass/body height^3
  • Waist-to-Height Ratio = waist circumference/Body height
  • Area Mass Index for
    • Women = 0.865*(body mass/body height^2)+18.56
    • Men = 1.048*(body mass/body height^2)+16.08
  • Body Shape Index = waist circumference/(BMI^2/3*body height^1/2)
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