Final answer:
BMI is a measure of body weight relative to height, with a normal range of 18-24.9 kg/m². A BMI of 25-29.9 kg/m² is overweight, above 30 kg/m² is obese, and above 40 kg/m² is morbidly obese. It's a useful tool for population health studies but has limitations for individual health assessments, especially for muscular individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a standard tool for categorizing weight status. A normal or healthy BMI ranges from 18 to 24.9 kg/m². When an individual's BMI is between 25 and 29.9 kg/m², they are considered overweight. A BMI of 30 or above indicates obesity, while a BMI exceeding 40 is defined as morbid obesity. Despite BMI being a widely used measure, it's important to acknowledge its limitations. BMI calculations don't distinguish between mass due to muscle and mass due to fat. Hence, athletes with substantial muscle mass could have a high BMI yet be in excellent health. As such, BMI is particularly useful in assessing population health rather than individual health.Factors leading to a high BMI, indicating overweight or obesity, include overeating, a sedentary lifestyle, insufficient sleep, genetics, and certain medical conditions. Moreover, obesity can increase the risk of various health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer. Interventions to achieve a healthier BMI typically focus on diet, physical activity, and lifestyle changes.