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What does BMI stand for and what measurement constitutes an individual to be defined as obese?

User Bondolin
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Final answer:

BMI stands for Body Mass Index and is used to categorize weight status based on a person's height and weight. An individual with a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. While BMI is a common measure, it has limitations and should be considered in the broader context of overall health assessments.

Step-by-step explanation:

BMI, which stands for Body Mass Index, is a tool that measures a person's weight relative to their height to categorize their weight status. Adults with a BMI of 30 or higher are considered obese.

However, it's important to note that BMI has limitations; it does not account for muscle mass, bone density, overall body composition, and racial and sex differences. Therefore, while a BMI over 30 is generally used to define obesity, this measurement should be considered alongside other health assessments.

User Wayne Koorts
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