Meaning & use
the body mass index
Last updated
Meaning
nounsingularmedicaltechnical
A measure that compares a person's weight to their height, used to estimate whether they are underweight, healthy, overweight, or obese.
Grammar: Usually takes a singular verb: The body mass index is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared.
Patterns
- calculate the body mass index
- the body mass index of someone
- a high/low body mass index
Doctors often use the body mass index to quickly assess a patient's weight category.
Her body mass index was 27, which put her in the overweight range.
The body mass index is not always accurate for athletes with a lot of muscle.
Common combinations
- calculate the body mass index
- Nurses can calculate the body mass index using a simple formula.
- high body mass index
- A high body mass index can increase the risk of certain health problems.
- body mass index of
- The body mass index of children is interpreted differently from that of adults.
- measure the body mass index
- The clinic measures the body mass index of every new patient.
Synonyms and how they differ
- BMI
- The abbreviation is far more common in everyday speech and writing; use the full term in formal or first-mention contexts.
Practice
The body mass index ______ by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.
Choose one answer.
The body mass index is a measure, not a person, so it cannot calculate itself. The passive 'is calculated' is correct because someone calculates it. 'Calculates' would mean the index does the calculating, which is illogical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “the body mass index”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.