Why was Body mass index used?

Answer 1

Body Mass Index (BMI) was developed as a simple and quick method to assess body weight relative to height, providing a general indication of body fatness. It is widely used in clinical settings and public health to categorize individuals into weight classifications, such as underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity. This categorization helps identify potential health risks associated with weight and guides interventions for weight management and overall health improvement. However, while BMI is useful for population-level assessments, it does have limitations as it does not account for factors like muscle mass, distribution of fat, or individual variations.