Final answer:
BMI is an index that categorizes individuals as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese, based on height and weight measurements. The normal BMI range is 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m².
Step-by-step explanation:
Body Mass Index (BMI) Categories
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a commonly used metric to categorize weight status based on a person's weight in relation to their height. The ranges for BMI categories are as follows:
- Underweight: BMI less than 18.5 kg/m²
- Normal or Healthy Weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m²
- Overweight: BMI 25 to 29.9 kg/m²
- Obese: BMI 30 kg/m² and above
Obesity is further classified into:
- Class 1: BMI of 30 to <35 kg/m²
- Class 2: BMI of 35 to <40 kg/m² (severe obesity)
- Class 3: BMI of 40 kg/m² and above (morbid obesity)
It's important to note that while BMI is a useful tool, it may not perfectly represent an individual's body fat percentage or overall health, particularly in muscular individuals .